The researchers completed fMRI scans on the astronaut, who has recently spent time on the international space station, to find that some brain regions showed a decrease of gray, while others show an increase.The research may help treat other conditions that affect the brain, for example, people on long-term bed rest has hydrocepahlus-fluid pressure in their brains.
The researchers, based at the University of Michigan, analyzed the brain by astronauts using functional magnetic resonance Imaging (fMRI).
They analyzed the brain scans of 12 astronauts, who spent two weeks in space as the shuttle crew members and 14, who have spent six months on the international space station.
All of them experienced ups and downs in gray in different parts of the brain.
But the change is more significant next time astronauts in space.
Professor Rachael Seidler, a University of Michigan Professor in Kinesiology and psychology who led the study, said: "we found a gray area volume fell, which could be related to redistribution of cerebrospinal fluid in a great space."
' Gravity is not available to pull fluid into the body, so in the face of swelling is referred to in space.
"This can result in the displacement of brain or compression position."
But the researchers also found increases in the gray area of the brain that controls movement of the feet and legs of process sensory information.
This increase may reflect the brain learn to adapt by moving in microgravity.
This change is greater in astronauts, who had spent time aboard the space station, because their brains learn to adjust the hour.
' Very interesting, because even if you love something you don't practice more than an hour a day, ' Professor Seidler said.
But brain scans showed that the brains of astronauts has changed in a manner similar to that of someone practicing skills constantly.
Although scientists do not put forward the exact nature of the changes yet, they said, that the results can help people with a health condition that causes similar problems, for example, a condition that causes cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain.
Professor Seidler says changes to the brain can be a new relationship between neurons.
The results of this survey shows a strong similarity with another study by Professor Seidler where participants spent three months in the position slanted down, which causes the brain to move up.
He led a second study that will determine the effects of these changes on cognition and physical movement,
The study will also look at how long the brain was last changed.
For example, even after the balance is back to normal after the astronauts return to Earth from space, may still have a different brain neuron connection paths to adapt the brain changes caused by spaceflight.
"Behavior can be back to normal, but it can change the way the brain controls behavior," said Professor Seidler.
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