Extended stays in microgravity disrupt the brain’s internal wiring, notably weakening the ties between the diencephalon and the lumbar cortex, a finding reported by the press service of the National Research University Higher School of Economics. The human body evolved for life on Earth, so space travel inherently challenges health. In weightlessness, calcium leaches from bones, back muscles weaken, and the heart tends to adopt a more rounded shape. These are well-established concerns accompanying long-duration missions, and researchers continue to map how spaceflight reshapes physiology and brain function.
FlorIs Veyts of the University of Antwerp, together with colleagues from Russia and other Western nations, uncovered another consequence of living in zero gravity. The study analyzed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from 13 Russian cosmonauts who flew to the International Space Station in the 2010s, highlighting persistent neural adaptations after return to Earth. The researchers observed notable changes in brain connectivity that persisted for months after flight, underscoring how the brain reorganizes in response to altered sensory input and motor demands during space travel.
Specifically, the posterior cingulate cortex showed weakened connections with various brain regions. This weakening endured for eight months postflight. Because the cingulate gyrus, along with the precuneus, serves as a central hub in the brain’s default or passive network, alterations in these connections can reflect a broad shift in how the brain processes familiar sensations in an unfamiliar environment. In addition, the study reported an increase in connections between the angular gyri and shifts in the connectivity patterns linking the insular cortex with other regions. These patterns point to a reorganization of networks involved in spatial orientation, self-awareness, and interoception during and after spaceflight, according to the researchers.
Scientists interpret these changes as an adaptive response to the continuous need to maneuver in a near weightless setting. The authors caution that the observed neural adjustments do not necessarily predict adverse outcomes; in fact, they frequently resemble brain changes documented in other extreme professions. The work contributes to a growing understanding of how extreme environments drive neural plasticity and what that means for the health and performance of crew members on long missions. The findings are presented with a careful note that individual results may vary and that long-term follow-up is essential to fully grasp the trajectory of brain adaptation in space.
In broader terms, researchers emphasize that spaceflight effects on the nervous system are part of a spectrum that includes skeletal, cardiovascular, and fluid shifts. Interdisciplinary studies continue to track these changes, aiming to inform countermeasures—from targeted exercise regimens to spacecraft design—that help astronauts maintain performance and safety during extended missions. As missions extend beyond low Earth orbit, the integration of neuroimaging findings with physiology, biomechanics, and operational planning becomes increasingly important for safeguarding human health in space. The ongoing dialogue among space agencies, universities, and international partners reinforces the commitment to understanding how the human brain adapts to the most demanding environments, while applying these insights to improve health outcomes on Earth as well. The report notes the dynamic, interconnected nature of these adaptations and their potential relevance to clinical neuroscience on Earth, where similar networks govern cognition and perception. Researchers continue to explore these links, ensuring that technological progress in space translates into practical benefits for medical science and human performance.