Reduced Regional Cerebral Blood Flow Measured by 99mTc-Hexamethyl Propylene Amine Oxime Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography in Microgravity Simulated by 5-Day Dry Immersion

Microgravity induces a cephalad fluid shift that is responsible for cephalic venous stasis that may increase intracranial pressure (ICP) in astronauts. However, the effects of microgravity on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) are not known. We therefore investigated changes in rCBF in a 5-day dry immersion (DI) model. Moreover, we tested thigh cuffs as a countermeasure to prevent potential microgravity-induced modifications in rCBF. Around 18 healthy male participants underwent 5-day DI with or without a thigh cuffs countermeasure. They were randomly allocated to a control (n=9) or cuffs (n=9) group. rCBF was measured 4days before DI and at the end of the fifth day of DI (DI5), using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with radiopharmaceutical Tc-99m-hexamethyl propylene amine oxime (Tc-99m-HMPAO). SPECT images were processed using statistical parametric mapping (SPM12) software. At DI5, we observed a significant decrease in rCBF in 32 cortical and subcortical regions, with greater hypoperfusion in basal ganglia (right putamen peak level: z=4.71, p(uncorr)<0.001), bilateral occipital regions (left superior occipital peak level: z=4.51, p(uncorr)<0.001), bilateral insula (right insula peak level: 4.10, p(uncorr)<0.001), and bilateral inferior temporal (right inferior temporal peak level: 4.07, p(uncorr)<0.001). No significant difference was found between the control and cuffs groups on change in rCBF after 5days of DI. After a 5-day DI, we found a decrease in rCBF in cortical and subcortical regions. However, thigh cuffs countermeasure failed to prevent hypoperfusion. To date, this is the first study measuring rCBF in DI. Further investigations are needed in order to better understand the underlying mechanisms in cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes after exposure to microgravity.

Automated summary

In a 5-day dry immersion study, a significant decrease in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was observed in various cortical and subcortical regions, particularly in the basal ganglia, bilateral occipital regions, bilateral insula, and bilateral inferior temporal regions. However, thigh cuffs used as a countermeasure failed to prevent hypoperfusion in these regions. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying changes in cerebral blood flow after exposure to microgravity.