Bloomberg, J. J.

Kofman, I. S.

Mulavara, A. P.

Reuter-Lorenz, P. A.

Seidler, R. D.

Wood, S. J.

NASA Technical Reports Server

NeuroMapping
R. D. Seidler 
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Spaceflight Effects on Neurocognitive Performance:  
Extent, Longevity, & Neural Bases (NeuroMapping)
R. D. Seidler (PI), P. A. Reuter-Lorenz University of Michigan
A. P. Mulavara (CoI), J. J. Bloomberg (CoI), S. J. Wood (CoI), I. S. 
Kofman, Neuroscience Laboratories, NASA / JSC
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20140005023 2019-08-29T14:33:35+00:00Z
NeuroMapping
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Science Background
• Spaceflight affects balance, spatial orientation, & motor control
• Rodent models have shown sensorimotor neural structural 
changes 
• This study will address whether these neural structural changes 
occur in humans and how they impact astronaut functional 
performance
• We will also investigate whether spaceflight affects sensorimotor
adaptation; important for transitioning between varying gravitational 
environments
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Objectives
1) Identify changes in brain structure and function that occur 
with spaceflight and characterize their recovery time course.
2) Identify whether / how these changes contribute to 
decrements in functional performance. 
Assess the risk of long-duration spaceflight on brain 
structure / function, & impact on performance
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Spatial Cognition & Orientation
Processing Speed & Manual Control
Mobility, Balance & Vestibular Function
Functional Performance Brain Structure & FunctionMAP
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In flight Tests
Spatial 
Cognition
Single / Dual 
Tasking
Sensorimotor
adaptation
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NeuroMapping Timeline
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Pre & Post Flight Test Descriptions
Functional Performance
2.  Purdue Pegboard test: 
assemble pegs and washers 
bimanually and place into 
board.
1.  Functional Mobility Test 
(FMT): navigate obstacle 
course with foam pylons, a 
gate, an obstacle, and a ‘portal’.
3. Digit symbol substitution 
test: transcribe symbols to 
numbers.   
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4. Postural Stability: Maintain balance on sway-
referenced support surface with eyes closed. 
This test will be performed with and without 
head movements.
5. Tests of spatial cognition & working memory:
a. Rod & frame- align 
a rod to perceived 
vertical
b. Card rotation-
rotate 2-dimensional 
shapes to match
c. Cube rotation-
rotate 3-dimensional 
shapes to match
Pre & Post Flight Test Descriptions
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6. Vestibular stimulation: the vestibular system will be 
stimulated by either a brief acoustic stimulus or a brief tap to 
the forehead.  Muscle responses will be recorded.
Pre & Post Flight Test Descriptions
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Brain Structural & Functional Assessments
Pre & Post Flight Test Descriptions
1.  Structural MRI: lie still while we take a 3 
dimensional image of your brain structure.
2.  Diffusion weighted 
MRI: lie still while we 
take a 3 dimensional 
image of your brain’s 
white matter.
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Pre & Post Flight Test Descriptions
3.  Resting state functional connectivity MRI: lie still while 
we image functional network interactions.
4.  Functional MRI during single and 
dual task finger tapping: tap buttons 
bimanually in response to cues on the 
screen, count # of appearances of a 
target color, or both simultaneously.
X
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Pre & Post Flight Test Descriptions
5.  Functional MRI during manual sensorimotor adaptation 
task: move a joystick to hit targets on the computer screen. 
6.  Functional MRI during spatial 
working memory task: mentally rotate 
2-dimensional shapes to match 
targets.
7.  Functional MRI during vestibular 
stimulation: the vestibular system will 
be stimulated by either a brief acoustic 
stimulus or a brief tap to the forehead. 
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In Flight Test Descriptions
1. Cube rotation- rotate 3-dimensional 
shapes to match
2. Single and dual task finger tapping: 
tap buttons bimanually in response to 
cues on the screen, count # of 
appearances of a target color, or both 
simultaneously.
3. Manual sensorimotor adaptation task: 
move a joystick to hit targets on the 
computer screen. 
JOYSTICK
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“Bungeed down” “Free Floating”
In-flight Tests - Subject Configuration
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Study Relevance
1) First interdisciplinary assessment of the effects of 
space flight on brain structure-function and functional 
performance changes.
2) Will allow us to assess the risk of long duration 
spaceflight on brain structure / function and impact on 
performance.


Spaceflight Effects on Neurocognitive Performance: Extent, Longevity, and Neural Bases (NeuroMapping)

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