Non-invasive assessment of intracranial pressure for space flight and related visual impairment (IPVI) - 04.04.18
Long-duration spaceflight increases pressure in the head, resulting in changes to the shape of crew members’ eyes and optic nerves and causing vision changes. The Intracranial Pressure and Visual Impairment (IPVI) investigation studies these changes by analyzing arterial blood pressure and blood flow in the brain before and after spaceflight. Science Results for Everyone
Information Pending
Information provided courtesy of the Japan Aerospace and Exploration Agency (JAXA).
OpNom: Intracranial Pressure & Visual Impairment
Principal Investigator(s)
Kenichi Iwasaki, M.D., Ph.D., Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)
Yojiro Ogawa, D.D.S., Ph.D., Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
Ari Shinojima, M.D., Ph.D., Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
Ryo Yanagida, M.D., Ph.D., Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
Thomas Heldt, Ph.D., Computational Physiology & Clinical Inference Group, Cambridge, MA, United States
Benjamin D. Levine, M.D., Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Presbytyrian Hospital, Dallas, TX, United States
Developer(s)
Tsukuba Space Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
Sponsoring Space Agency
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Sponsoring Organization
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Research Benefits
Earth Benefits, Scientific Discovery, Space Exploration
ISS Expedition Duration
March 2015 - March 2016; March 2016
- August 2018
Expeditions Assigned
43/44,45/46,47/48,49/50,51/52,53/54,55/56
Previous Missions
Neurolab Mission (STS-90)
Experiment Description
Research Overview
Description
Information Pending
Applications
Space Applications
Recent studies have shown some crew members on the ISS experience swelling of the optic nerve, which can affect their vision. This may be because of elevated intracranial pressure, or pressure inside the head, which happens in microgravity. The investigation aims to confirm that eye abnormalities, such as swelling of the optic nerve, happen in crew members whose cranial pressure has increased. The investigation’s non-invasive measurement methods could be used for early detection of this pressure change.
Earth Applications
Physicians currently use invasive procedures to measure intracranial pressure, including inserting a needle in a person’s spine. The IPVI investigation uses a non-invasive method instead, gauging intracranial pressure by combining arterial blood pressure and brain blood flow. Results from this investigation can benefit patients on Earth who need to be tested for high intracranial pressure, or who need other measurements for ailments such as fluid on the brain, brain swelling, or low intracranial pressure.
Operations
Operational Requirements and Protocols
Decadal Survey Recommendations
Information Pending
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