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Experiment Overview


Information provided courtesy of the Erasmus Experiment Archive.
Brief Summary

Early Detection of Osteoporosis in Space (EDOS) tests the ability of XtremeCT technology to detect bone architecture changes and provide a better evaluation of the kinetics of bone loss recovery postflight.

Principal Investigator(s)

Christian Alexandre, M.D., Universite Jean Monnet, St. Etienne, France

Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)

Martina A. Heer, Ph.D., Institute of Aerospace Medicine German Aerospace Center, Cologne, Germany

Bruno Koller, SCANCO Medical, Bassesdorf, Switzerland

L. Braak, France

Laurence Vico, Ph.D., INSERM, Paris, France

Mohamed Zouch, Universite Jean Monnet, St. Etienne, France

Peter Ruegsegger, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Space Biology, Zurich, Switzerland

Developer(s)

SCANCO Medical, Bassesdorf, , Switzerland

Sponsoring Space Agency

European Space Agency (ESA)

Sponsoring Organization

Information Pending

Research Benefits

Information Pending

ISS Expedition Duration:

April 2007 - May 2012

Expeditions Assigned

15,16,17,18,19/20,21/22,29/30

Previous ISS Missions

EDOS began ISS operations on Expedition 16.

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Experiment Description

Research Overview

• Early Detection of Osteoporosis in Space (EDOS) demonstrates the efficiency of the three-dimensional peripheral quantitative computed tomography (3DpQCT) technique (XtremeCT developed by SCANCO Medical) for an early detection of bone remodeling impairment and the related bone microarchitecture changes and to provide information on the kinetics of bone loss. Ultimately the objective is to show if this device can provide an accurate measurement to evaluate the efficiency of bone countermeasures following missions in microgravity.



• The XtremeCT allows three-dimensional imaging of bone microarchitecture with a high resolution.



• EDOS evaluates the XtremeCT with preflight and postflight measurements in a series of flights. Measurements include XtremeCT, Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and analysis of bone markers (blood samples).

Description

Information Pending

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Applications

Space Applications

The EDOS project will help in assessing the efficiency of countermeasures, developed through ESA research and research from other organisations, to the bone loss experienced by astronauts on long-duration space missions such as to the ISS,.  This will assist in the optimal planning of long-duration missions with respect to pharmacological, dietary or exercise-based protocols in order to alleviate such adverse effects and hence improve/maintain the health and performance of our astronauts in orbit. This data could also feed into the development of numerical bone models for astronauts which could assist in the  optimal planning for future longer-duration human exploration missions.

Earth Applications

With astronauts exhibiting bone loss similar to osteoporosis in space, i.e. about 1% loss per month in space, this research should significantly contribute to the development of a reference technique to perform an early detection of osteoporosis on Earth. These improved diagnostics in the early stages of such a medical condition may prove extremely important in development of more effective countermeasures to the effects of osteoporosis. Already the 3DpQCT scanner used in EDOS which ESA supported the development of for a non-invasive/in vivo technique for observation of bone structure has been successfully commercialised.

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Operations

Operational Requirements

Information Pending

Operational Protocols

Information Pending

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Results/More Information

Information Pending

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Related Websites

Columbus Mission - European Experiment Programme

SCANCO Medical

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Imagery

Xtreme CT hardware. Image provide courtesy of SCANCO Medical.
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