Circuits and Biomarkers of the Central Nervous System Relating to Astronaut Performance: Summary Report for a NASA-Sponsored Technical Interchange Meeting
Joshua S. Alwood,
Ajitkumar P. Mulavara,
Janani Iyer,
Siddhita D. Mhatre,
Susanna Rosi,
Mark Shelhamer,
Catherine Davis,
Christopher W. Jones,
Xiao Wen Mao,
Rajeev I. Desai,
Alexandra M. Whitmire,
Thomas J. Williams
Affiliations
Joshua S. Alwood
NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
Ajitkumar P. Mulavara
KBR, Houston, TX 77058, USA
Janani Iyer
Universities Space Research Association (USRA), Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
Siddhita D. Mhatre
KBR, Houston, TX 77058, USA
Susanna Rosi
Department of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
Mark Shelhamer
Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
Catherine Davis
Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
Christopher W. Jones
Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
Xiao Wen Mao
Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Biomedical Engineering Sciences (BMES), Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
Rajeev I. Desai
Integrative Neurochemistry Laboratory, Behavioral Biology Program, McLean Hospital-Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
Biomarkers, ranging from molecules to behavior, can be used to identify thresholds beyond which performance of mission tasks may be compromised and could potentially trigger the activation of countermeasures. Identification of homologous brain regions and/or neural circuits related to operational performance may allow for translational studies between species. Three discussion groups were directed to use operationally relevant performance tasks as a driver when identifying biomarkers and brain regions or circuits for selected constructs. Here we summarize small-group discussions in tables of circuits and biomarkers categorized by (a) sensorimotor, (b) behavioral medicine and (c) integrated approaches (e.g., physiological responses). In total, hundreds of biomarkers have been identified and are summarized herein by the respective group leads. We hope the meeting proceedings become a rich resource for NASA’s Human Research Program (HRP) and the community of researchers.
