California, US (BBN)-Astronauts making the journey to Mars could suffer brain damage caused by cosmic rays, a Nasa study has found.
Prolonged levels of radiation that astronauts would be exposed to on the two- or three-year round trip to Mars would be so high that they would likely change the structure of neurons in the brain.
This inflammation would result in symptoms similar to dementia such as memory loss and a decline in problem solving skills, the study found. This would make exploring a new planet even more difficult.
Researchers at the University of California Irving School of Medicine exposed mice to charged particles constantly for six weeks to give them an equivalent dose to a round trip to mars. The results were concerning for those planning a trip into space.
Oncology professor at the university Charles Limoli said in his study that the rays would “without a doubt” have the same effect on humans as mice.
Even though spacecraft have some shielding from cosmic exposure, highly charged particles can still pass through their walls as well as space suits.
The study highlights how far NASA has to go to develop ways to protect astronauts going on long journeys.
“Performance decrements, memory deficits, and loss of awareness and focus during spaceflight may affect mission-critical activities, and exposure to these particles may have long-term adverse consequences to cognition throughout life,” said Prof Limoli in the journal Science Advances.
Scientists are currently working on a number of ways to shield astronauts from radiation – with plastics, water and different metals being explored.
Prof Limoli said that they believe the answer is pharmacological and that his team was working on compounds that seek out free radicals and protect the brain’s neurotransmissions.
“But these remain to be optimised and are under development.”
NASA is planning on sending astronauts to Mars by 2030 – a trip which would involve an 18-month stay on the planet.
A separate project, Mars One, plans on sending up a team of people in 2025 to live on the planet and not return. The controversial project would be aired on television.
