Evaluating the relationship between microgravity and changes in brain functional activity through head down tilt bed rest test: a pilot study

Motivation: To explore the changes of brain functional activity in microgravity environment. Goal(s): To clarify the change characteristics of brain functional activities in microgravity environment, and provide therapeutic targets for improving the effect of weightlessness. Approach: Siemens 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging was used to collect resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging images of brain of volunteers before and after exposure to microgravity. And the indicators which to identify changes in brain functional activity was calculated. Results: In microgravity environments, functional activities of some brain regions are changed, which may be a potential therapeutic target to improve the effect of weightlessness on human. Impact: Different brain functional features have different sensitivities to microgravity exposure, deeper exploration of brain function may be important for understanding the role and effects of microgravity on brain health.