University’s research breakthrough may help NASA get to Mars
Scientists at the University of Birmingham have welcomed a delegation from NASA who are working to overcome some of the stumbling blocks to sending astronauts to Mars.
Microgravity, which causes astronauts to float in space, can have significant physiological effects on the body and can lead to pressure on the brain that can cause visual impairment.
Mars is 140 times further from Earth than the moon is and astronauts would spend months in microgravity travelling to and from the planet.
NASA needs to find a solution to prevent this intracranial pressure.
A research group at the University of Birmingham led by Dr Alex Sinclair has been studying a condition called Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) which has similar effects on the body as the brain pressure caused by space travel.
NASA’s chief health and medical officer Dr James Polk was part of a group that held round-table talks with the University’s research group.
Dr Sinclair said: “NASA scientists are trying to find a solution to space flight raised brain pressure which could be problematic for human Mars exploration.
“Ultimately our new drug discovery may be the solution to reducing brain pressure during space flight.
“We hope this visit will lead to research in collaboration with NASA to help address this important issue that will push the boundaries of human exploration forward to Mars.”
Dr Sinclair and her team have combined clinical neurology with translational research and are considered to be world-leading experts in brain pressure. A clinical trial in patients with IIH is underway.
