Spaceflight Associated Neuro Ocular Syndrome

Prolonged microgravity exposure during long-duration spaceflight (LDSF) produces unusual physiologic and pathologic neuro-ophthalmic findings in astronauts. These microgravity-associated findings collectively define the Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS). In this book, the editors compare and contrast prior published work on SANS by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Space Medicine Operations Division with retrospective and prospective studies from other research groups. The book describes the possible mechanisms and potential etiologies for SANS, and provides an update and review on the clinical manifestations of SANS including: unilateral and bilateral optic disc edema, globe flattening, choroidal and retinal folds, hyperopic refractive error shifts, and focal areas of ischemic retina (i.e., cotton wool spots). The ocular imaging findings (e.g., retinal nerve fiber layer, optic disc, and choroidal changes on optical coherence tomography) of SANS is also described, including the intraorbital and intracranial findings on orbital ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. The knowledge gaps for in-flight and terrestrial human research including potential countermeasures for future stud is also explored, including reports on the in-flight and terrestrial human and animal research being investigated by NASA and its partners to study SANS both prospectively and longitudinally and in preparation for future long duration manned missions to space including the moon, the asteroid belt, or Mars. We think this is a unique topic and hope that NASA and its research partners continue to study SANS in preparation for future longer duration manned space missions. Written in an easy-to-read manner, the book adopts a translational approach and explores the science and the clinical manifestations of Space flight associated neuro-ocular syndrome. It is also multi-disciplinary and suitable for both clinicians and researchers in ophthalmology, neurology, and aerospace medicine interested in SANS SANS is a unique space flight disorder that has no terrestrial equivalent. The book involves contributions from international experts across multiple disciplines to tackle the problem of SANS Summarizes and reviews the current findings of SANS, including possible mechanisms and potential etiologies, clinical manifestations, current reports on the in-flight and terrestrial human and animal research, and ocular imaging findings

“Space Pharmacology” is a review of the current knowledge regarding the use of pharmaceuticals during spaceflights. It is a comprehensive review of the literature, addressing each area of pharmacokinetics and each major physiological system in turn. Every section begins with a topic overview, and is followed by a discussion of published data from spaceflight, and from ground experiments meant to model the spaceflight situation. Includes a discussion looking forward to the new medical challenges we are likely to face on longer duration exploration missions. This book is a snapshot of our current knowledge that also highlights areas of unknown.

This comprehensive encyclopedia serves the needs of biomedical researchers, space mission planners and engineers, aerospace medicine physicians, graduate students, and professors interested in obtaining an up-to-date and readable introduction to bioastronautics, the science of humans in space. Following the excitement and progress of the birth of the space age in the fifties and sixties, with the successes in human space flight – culminating with the Moon landings – the field of bioastronautics retreated into the more workmanlike arena of successively longer stays in low Earth orbit. At this time, major new initiatives are ahead both in human and robotic space exploration. The International Space Station, along with the developing Chinese space station and lunar program, will permit the development and testing of the means of astronaut protection for long duration missions – eventually to Mars and its moons, as well as visits to asteroids, other NEOs, and the Lagrange points. New life support systems and innovative approaches to radiation protection beyond Earth’s magnetic field will all be developed and tested. Meanwhile, the search for extraterrestrial life, past or even present, is accelerating – with the spectacular finds of Martian water and the discovery of potentially habitable extra-solar planets. A new generation of scientists is ready to attack a new set of problems, and is in need of an efficient, accurate and searchable means of discovering the essentials of the field. This reference work also covers the challenges, past achievements, and potential solutions inherent to the safe exploration of distant space and the search for life off our planet. The entries summarize the tertiary literature and include sufficient data and illustrations to introduce each topic, while avoiding the length and detail of scientific review articles.

This new analysis of reflex and hormonal control of the human cardiovascular system developed from questions raised in Human Circulation: During Physical Stress (Rowell, 1986) and from recent findings. The goal is to help students, physiologists and clinicians understand the control of pressure, vascular volume, and blood flow by examining the cardiovascular system during orthostasis and exercise, two stresses that most affect these variables. A discussion of the passive physical properties of the vascular system provides a basis for explaining how vascular control is modified by mechanical, neural, and humoral factors. Interactive effects of the vasculature on cardiac performance are emphasized; they reveal the importance of autonomic control, supplemented by muscle pumping, in maintaining adequate ventricular filling pressure. The author's detailed analysis of how total oxygen consumption is restricted focuses on limitations in cardiac pumping ability, oxygen diffusion from lungs to blood and from blood to active muscle, oxidative metabolism and neural control of organ blood flow. An unsolved mystery is the nature of the signals that govern the cardiovascular responses to exercise. This is discussed in a new and critical synthesis of ideas and evidence concerning the "error signals" that are sensed and then corrected by activation of the autonomic nervous system during exercise.

Biomechanical mechanisms may contribute to a large number of visual processes and pathologies, including glaucoma, keratoconus, refractive surgery, accommodation, presbyopia, myopia, hyperopia, trauma, retinal detachment, ocular development, vitreous substitution, cataract surgery, corneal transplant, and many others. Departures from homeostatic loading may drive a large number of these processes in ways we are only beginning to recognize. This Research Topic will explore how ocular biomechanics contribute to both the homeostasis and pathophysiology of the eye and visual system. It is generally unknown whether changes in load drive changes in biomechanical properties or vice versa. Clarifying driving forces for disease and elucidating the pathophysiologic response will ultimately enable the development of targeted treatments for many ocular and visual diseases for which biomechanics plays a role.

Over the years, a large body of knowledge has developed regarding the ways in which space flight affects the health of the personnel involved. Now, for the first time, this clinical knowledge on how to diagnose and treat conditions that either develop during a mission or because of a mission has been compiled by Drs. Michael Barratt and Sam L. Pool of the NASA/Johnson Space Center. Complete with detailed information on the physiological and psychological affects of space flight as well as how to diagnose and treat everything from dental concerns to decompression to dermatological problems encountered, this text is a must have for all those associated with aerospace medicine.

This book highlights the unique aspects of oncologic ophthalmology as a medical and surgical discipline practiced at a comprehensive cancer center. Multi-disciplinary management of ocular, orbital and adnexal cancers are highlighted using simple and tried-and-true algorithms. In addition, ocular problems caused as a direct result of cancer treatment are reviewed using illustrative photographs and case presentations. The content is provided by full-time ophthalmology faculty and fellows at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Experts in complementary disciplines such as ophthalmic pathology, dermatopathology, radiation oncology, radiology, and other surgical subspecialties have brought their unique perspective to each chapter. The book is abundant with clinical photographs as well as interesting case presentations that will help the clinician correctly diagnose cancers of the orbit, eye, and adnexal structures, initiate appropriate management, as well as recognize and treat common ocular complications of cancer therapy.

This newly revised edition contains updated versions of all of the topics that were in the first edition and has been substantially expanded with an additional 5 chapters. Each chapter includes information from the most up-to-date research on how nutritional factors can affect bone health, written with an evidence-based focus and complete with comprehensive references for each subject. Nutrition and Bone Health, second edition covers all aspects of nutrition and the skeleton, from the history and fundamentals, to the effects of macronutrients, minerals, vitamins, and supplements, and even covers the effects of lifestyle, the different life stages, and nutrition-related disorders and secondary osteoporosis. New chapters include HIV & AIDs and the skeleton, celiac disease and bone health, and nutrition and bone health in space. Nutrition and Bone Health, second edition is a necessary resource for health care professionals, medical students, graduate students, dietitians, and nutritionists who are interested in how nutrition affects bone health during all stages of life.