Rappaport Margaret Boone, Corbally Christopher J
The Human Sentience Project, LLC, Tucson, AZ 85704, USA.
Vatican Observatory, Department of Astronomy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
NeuroSci. 2022 Aug 9;3(3):457-475. doi: 10.3390/neurosci3030033. eCollection 2022 Sep.
This is an exploratory review of two very recent, intersecting segments of space science: neuroplasticity in space, and decision-making in space. The high level of neuroplasticity in humans leads to unfortunate neurological and physical deconditioning while the body adjusts to the new space environment. However, neuroplasticity may also allow recovery and continued functioning of decision-making at a level necessary for mission completion. Cosmic radiation, microgravity, heightened levels of carbon dioxide in spacecraft, and other factors are being explored as root causes of neurological and physical deconditioning in space. The goal of this paper is to explore some of the lines of causation that show how these factors affect the capacity of humans to make decisions in space. Either alone or in groups, it remains essential that humans retain an ability to make decisions that will save lives, protect equipment, complete missions, and return safely to Earth. A final section addresses healthcare, medical intervention, and remediation that could help to "harness" neuroplasticity before, during, and after spaceflight. The dual nature of human neuroplasticity renders it both a cause of problems and also potentially the foundation of remediation. The future of research on both neuroplasticity and human decision-making promises to be full of surprises, both welcome and otherwise. It is an exciting time in research on space medicine.
这是对空间科学中两个非常新的、相互交叉领域的探索性综述：太空神经可塑性和太空决策。人类高度的神经可塑性在身体适应新的太空环境时会导致不幸的神经和身体机能衰退。然而，神经可塑性也可能使决策能力得以恢复并在完成任务所需的水平上持续发挥作用。宇宙辐射、微重力、航天器内二氧化碳水平升高以及其他因素正在被探究为太空神经和身体机能衰退的根本原因。本文的目的是探讨一些因果关系链，以展示这些因素如何影响人类在太空中的决策能力。无论是单独还是集体，人类保持做出能拯救生命、保护设备、完成任务并安全返回地球的决策能力仍然至关重要。最后一部分讨论了有助于在太空飞行前、飞行中和飞行后“利用”神经可塑性的医疗保健、医学干预和补救措施。人类神经可塑性的双重性质使其既是问题的根源，也可能是补救的基础。神经可塑性和人类决策的未来研究有望充满惊喜，无论是令人欣喜的还是其他方面的。这是太空医学研究令人兴奋的时期。
