Task Fluid Distribution before, during and after Prolonged Space Flight
Short Title: Integrated Fluid volume- Hargens
Responsible HRP Element: Human Health Countermeasures
Supporting Org(s):
Funding Status: Active - Task currently funded
Procurement Mechanism(s):
NASA Research Announcement
Aims:
We have five specific aims to test our hypothesis that prolonged-microgravity,
head-ward volume and pressure shifts are responsible for elevating intracranial pressure (ICP) and producing deficits in crewmembers’ vision:

1) To measure periocular fluid volumes, intraocular pressure (IOP), and upper-body
compartment volumes before, during and after prolonged microgravity

2) To quantify jugular and parajugular vein dimensions, valve competency, blood flow using ultrasound before, during and after prolonged microgravity exposure

3) To measure ventricular and cerebrospinal volumes using ultrasound before, during and after prolonged microgravity exposure,

4) To image the retina to detect retinal venous distension in space, and

5) To evaluate ICP, IOP, and select ocular structures and functions while applying a purely mechanical countermeasure of low-level, lower body negative pressure (LBNP) to counteract the head-ward fluid shift in space.
Integration/Unique Aspects:
This study is planned to be integrated with two other flight proposals from the 2011 NRA: M. Stenger and S. Dulchavsky.
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