The ALTEA/ALTEINO projects: Studying functional effects of microgravity and cosmic radiation

L. Narici; F. Belli; V. Bidoli; M. Casolino; M. P. De Pascale; L. Di Fino; G. Furano; I. Modena; A. Morselli; P. Picozza; E. Reali; A. Rinaldi; D. Ruggieri; R. Sparvoli; V. Zaconte; W. G. Sannita; S. Carozzo; S. Licoccia; P. Romagnoli; E. Traversa; V. Cotronei; M. Vazquez; J. Miller; V. P. Salnitskii; O. I. Shevchenko; V. P. Petrov; K. A. Trukhanov; A. Galper; A. Khodarovich; M. G. Korotkov; A. Popov; N. Vavilov; S. Avdeev; M. Boezio; W. Bonvicini; A. Vacchi; N. Zampa; G. Mazzenga; M. Ricci; P. Spillantini; G. Castellini; R. Vittori; P. Carlson; C. Fuglesang; D. Schardt

doi:10.1016/j.asr.2003.09.052

The ALTEA/ALTEINO projects: Studying functional effects of microgravity and cosmic radiation

L. Narici^*, F. Belli, V. Bidoli, M. Casolino, M. P. De Pascale, L. Di Fino, G. Furano, I. Modena, A. Morselli, P. Picozza, E. Reali, A. Rinaldi, D. Ruggieri, R. Sparvoli, V. Zaconte, W. G. Sannita, S. Carozzo, S. Licoccia, P. Romagnoli, E. TraversaV. Cotronei, M. Vazquez, J. Miller, V. P. Salnitskii, O. I. Shevchenko, V. P. Petrov, K. A. Trukhanov, A. Galper, A. Khodarovich, M. G. Korotkov, A. Popov, N. Vavilov, S. Avdeev, M. Boezio, W. Bonvicini, A. Vacchi, N. Zampa, G. Mazzenga, M. Ricci, P. Spillantini, G. Castellini, R. Vittori, P. Carlson, C. Fuglesang, D. Schardt

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

The ALTEA project investigates the risks of functional brain damage induced by particle radiation in space. A modular facility (the ALTEA facility) is being implemented and will be operated in the International Space Station (ISS) to record electrophysiological and behavioral descriptors of brain function and to monitor their time dynamics and correlation with particles and space environment. The focus of the program will be on abnormal visual perceptions (often reported as "light flashes" by astronauts) and the impact on retinal and brain visual structures of particle in microgravity conditions. The facility will be made available to the international scientific community for human neurophysiological, electrophysiological and psychophysics experiments, studies on particle fluxes, and dosimetry. A precursor of ALTEA (the 'Alteino' project) helps set the experimental baseline for the ALTEA experiments, while providing novel information on the radiation environment onboard the ISS and on the brain electrophysiology of the astronauts during orbital flights. Alteino was flown to the ISS on the Soyuz TM34 as part of mission Marco Polo. Controlled ground experiments using mice and accelerator beams complete the experimental strategy of ALTEA. We present here the status of progress of the ALTEA project and preliminary results of the Alteino study on brain dynamics, particle fluxes and abnormal visual perceptions.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	1352-1357
Number of pages	6
Journal	Advances in Space Research
Volume	33
Issue number	8
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2003.09.052
State	Published - 2004
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
These anomalies occur most often during dark adaptation ( Pinsky et al., 1974, 1975 ). Evidence in accelerator controlled experiments ( Charman et al., 1971 ; Tobias et al., 1971 ; Charman and Rowlands, 1971 ; McAulay, 1971 ; McNulty, 1971 ; McNulty et al., 1972 ; Budinger et al., 1972 ; McNulty and Pease, 1978 ) and measurements in space ( Osborne et al., 1975 ; Bidoli et al., 2001 ; Avdeev et al., 2002 ; Casolino et al., 2003 ) link this phenomenon to cosmic, probably HZE, particles impacting on the eye. Many related issues, in particular the biophysics of this phenomenon, remain open. The retina appears involved in the perception of LF, yet the brain cortical regions dedicated to vision may be affected by particles as well and anecdotal evidence suggests an effect of heavy ions on the optic nerve. Documented electrophysiological effects of particles on the brain may be related to as yet undetected functional impairment and would raise questions regarding crew safety especially during emergencies. Cumulative effects, possibly overlooked in the past due to the absence of detectable prolonged or irreversible symptoms, still warrant detailed investigations. ALTEA is funded by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN).

Keywords

Functional effects of microgravity and cosmic radiation
The ALTEA/ALTEINO projects

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Aerospace Engineering
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Geophysics
Atmospheric Science
Space and Planetary Science
General Earth and Planetary Sciences

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10.1016/j.asr.2003.09.052

Cite this

Narici, L., Belli, F., Bidoli, V., Casolino, M., De Pascale, M. P., Di Fino, L., Furano, G., Modena, I., Morselli, A., Picozza, P., Reali, E., Rinaldi, A., Ruggieri, D., Sparvoli, R., Zaconte, V., Sannita, W. G., Carozzo, S., Licoccia, S., Romagnoli, P., ... Schardt, D. (2004). The ALTEA/ALTEINO projects: Studying functional effects of microgravity and cosmic radiation. Advances in Space Research, 33(8), 1352-1357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2003.09.052

@article{09a11fc249ce474e842102086c4a900b,

title = "The ALTEA/ALTEINO projects: Studying functional effects of microgravity and cosmic radiation",

abstract = "The ALTEA project investigates the risks of functional brain damage induced by particle radiation in space. A modular facility (the ALTEA facility) is being implemented and will be operated in the International Space Station (ISS) to record electrophysiological and behavioral descriptors of brain function and to monitor their time dynamics and correlation with particles and space environment. The focus of the program will be on abnormal visual perceptions (often reported as {"}light flashes{"} by astronauts) and the impact on retinal and brain visual structures of particle in microgravity conditions. The facility will be made available to the international scientific community for human neurophysiological, electrophysiological and psychophysics experiments, studies on particle fluxes, and dosimetry. A precursor of ALTEA (the 'Alteino' project) helps set the experimental baseline for the ALTEA experiments, while providing novel information on the radiation environment onboard the ISS and on the brain electrophysiology of the astronauts during orbital flights. Alteino was flown to the ISS on the Soyuz TM34 as part of mission Marco Polo. Controlled ground experiments using mice and accelerator beams complete the experimental strategy of ALTEA. We present here the status of progress of the ALTEA project and preliminary results of the Alteino study on brain dynamics, particle fluxes and abnormal visual perceptions.",

keywords = "Functional effects of microgravity and cosmic radiation, The ALTEA/ALTEINO projects",

author = "L. Narici and F. Belli and V. Bidoli and M. Casolino and {De Pascale}, {M. P.} and {Di Fino}, L. and G. Furano and I. Modena and A. Morselli and P. Picozza and E. Reali and A. Rinaldi and D. Ruggieri and R. Sparvoli and V. Zaconte and Sannita, {W. G.} and S. Carozzo and S. Licoccia and P. Romagnoli and E. Traversa and V. Cotronei and M. Vazquez and J. Miller and Salnitskii, {V. P.} and Shevchenko, {O. I.} and Petrov, {V. P.} and Trukhanov, {K. A.} and A. Galper and A. Khodarovich and Korotkov, {M. G.} and A. Popov and N. Vavilov and S. Avdeev and M. Boezio and W. Bonvicini and A. Vacchi and N. Zampa and G. Mazzenga and M. Ricci and P. Spillantini and G. Castellini and R. Vittori and P. Carlson and C. Fuglesang and D. Schardt",

note = "Funding Information: These anomalies occur most often during dark adaptation ( Pinsky et al., 1974, 1975 ). Evidence in accelerator controlled experiments ( Charman et al., 1971 ; Tobias et al., 1971 ; Charman and Rowlands, 1971 ; McAulay, 1971 ; McNulty, 1971 ; McNulty et al., 1972 ; Budinger et al., 1972 ; McNulty and Pease, 1978 ) and measurements in space ( Osborne et al., 1975 ; Bidoli et al., 2001 ; Avdeev et al., 2002 ; Casolino et al., 2003 ) link this phenomenon to cosmic, probably HZE, particles impacting on the eye. Many related issues, in particular the biophysics of this phenomenon, remain open. The retina appears involved in the perception of LF, yet the brain cortical regions dedicated to vision may be affected by particles as well and anecdotal evidence suggests an effect of heavy ions on the optic nerve. Documented electrophysiological effects of particles on the brain may be related to as yet undetected functional impairment and would raise questions regarding crew safety especially during emergencies. Cumulative effects, possibly overlooked in the past due to the absence of detectable prolonged or irreversible symptoms, still warrant detailed investigations. ALTEA is funded by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN). ",

year = "2004",

doi = "10.1016/j.asr.2003.09.052",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "33",

pages = "1352--1357",

journal = "Advances in Space Research",

issn = "0273-1177",

publisher = "Elsevier Ltd",

number = "8",

}

Narici, L, Belli, F, Bidoli, V, Casolino, M, De Pascale, MP, Di Fino, L, Furano, G, Modena, I, Morselli, A, Picozza, P, Reali, E, Rinaldi, A, Ruggieri, D, Sparvoli, R, Zaconte, V, Sannita, WG, Carozzo, S, Licoccia, S, Romagnoli, P, Traversa, E, Cotronei, V, Vazquez, M, Miller, J, Salnitskii, VP, Shevchenko, OI, Petrov, VP, Trukhanov, KA, Galper, A, Khodarovich, A, Korotkov, MG, Popov, A, Vavilov, N, Avdeev, S, Boezio, M, Bonvicini, W, Vacchi, A, Zampa, N, Mazzenga, G, Ricci, M, Spillantini, P, Castellini, G, Vittori, R, Carlson, P, Fuglesang, C & Schardt, D 2004, 'The ALTEA/ALTEINO projects: Studying functional effects of microgravity and cosmic radiation', Advances in Space Research, vol. 33, no. 8, pp. 1352-1357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2003.09.052

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T1 - The ALTEA/ALTEINO projects

T2 - Studying functional effects of microgravity and cosmic radiation

AU - Narici, L.

AU - Belli, F.

AU - Bidoli, V.

AU - Casolino, M.

AU - De Pascale, M. P.

AU - Di Fino, L.

AU - Furano, G.

AU - Modena, I.

AU - Morselli, A.

AU - Picozza, P.

AU - Reali, E.

AU - Rinaldi, A.

AU - Ruggieri, D.

AU - Sparvoli, R.

AU - Zaconte, V.

AU - Sannita, W. G.

AU - Carozzo, S.

AU - Licoccia, S.

AU - Romagnoli, P.

AU - Traversa, E.

AU - Cotronei, V.

AU - Vazquez, M.

AU - Miller, J.

AU - Salnitskii, V. P.

AU - Shevchenko, O. I.

AU - Petrov, V. P.

AU - Trukhanov, K. A.

AU - Galper, A.

AU - Khodarovich, A.

AU - Korotkov, M. G.

AU - Popov, A.

AU - Vavilov, N.

AU - Avdeev, S.

AU - Boezio, M.

AU - Bonvicini, W.

AU - Vacchi, A.

AU - Zampa, N.

AU - Mazzenga, G.

AU - Ricci, M.

AU - Spillantini, P.

AU - Castellini, G.

AU - Vittori, R.

AU - Carlson, P.

AU - Fuglesang, C.

AU - Schardt, D.

N1 - Funding Information: These anomalies occur most often during dark adaptation ( Pinsky et al., 1974, 1975 ). Evidence in accelerator controlled experiments ( Charman et al., 1971 ; Tobias et al., 1971 ; Charman and Rowlands, 1971 ; McAulay, 1971 ; McNulty, 1971 ; McNulty et al., 1972 ; Budinger et al., 1972 ; McNulty and Pease, 1978 ) and measurements in space ( Osborne et al., 1975 ; Bidoli et al., 2001 ; Avdeev et al., 2002 ; Casolino et al., 2003 ) link this phenomenon to cosmic, probably HZE, particles impacting on the eye. Many related issues, in particular the biophysics of this phenomenon, remain open. The retina appears involved in the perception of LF, yet the brain cortical regions dedicated to vision may be affected by particles as well and anecdotal evidence suggests an effect of heavy ions on the optic nerve. Documented electrophysiological effects of particles on the brain may be related to as yet undetected functional impairment and would raise questions regarding crew safety especially during emergencies. Cumulative effects, possibly overlooked in the past due to the absence of detectable prolonged or irreversible symptoms, still warrant detailed investigations. ALTEA is funded by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN).

PY - 2004

Y1 - 2004

N2 - The ALTEA project investigates the risks of functional brain damage induced by particle radiation in space. A modular facility (the ALTEA facility) is being implemented and will be operated in the International Space Station (ISS) to record electrophysiological and behavioral descriptors of brain function and to monitor their time dynamics and correlation with particles and space environment. The focus of the program will be on abnormal visual perceptions (often reported as "light flashes" by astronauts) and the impact on retinal and brain visual structures of particle in microgravity conditions. The facility will be made available to the international scientific community for human neurophysiological, electrophysiological and psychophysics experiments, studies on particle fluxes, and dosimetry. A precursor of ALTEA (the 'Alteino' project) helps set the experimental baseline for the ALTEA experiments, while providing novel information on the radiation environment onboard the ISS and on the brain electrophysiology of the astronauts during orbital flights. Alteino was flown to the ISS on the Soyuz TM34 as part of mission Marco Polo. Controlled ground experiments using mice and accelerator beams complete the experimental strategy of ALTEA. We present here the status of progress of the ALTEA project and preliminary results of the Alteino study on brain dynamics, particle fluxes and abnormal visual perceptions.

AB - The ALTEA project investigates the risks of functional brain damage induced by particle radiation in space. A modular facility (the ALTEA facility) is being implemented and will be operated in the International Space Station (ISS) to record electrophysiological and behavioral descriptors of brain function and to monitor their time dynamics and correlation with particles and space environment. The focus of the program will be on abnormal visual perceptions (often reported as "light flashes" by astronauts) and the impact on retinal and brain visual structures of particle in microgravity conditions. The facility will be made available to the international scientific community for human neurophysiological, electrophysiological and psychophysics experiments, studies on particle fluxes, and dosimetry. A precursor of ALTEA (the 'Alteino' project) helps set the experimental baseline for the ALTEA experiments, while providing novel information on the radiation environment onboard the ISS and on the brain electrophysiology of the astronauts during orbital flights. Alteino was flown to the ISS on the Soyuz TM34 as part of mission Marco Polo. Controlled ground experiments using mice and accelerator beams complete the experimental strategy of ALTEA. We present here the status of progress of the ALTEA project and preliminary results of the Alteino study on brain dynamics, particle fluxes and abnormal visual perceptions.

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KW - The ALTEA/ALTEINO projects

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The ALTEA/ALTEINO projects: Studying functional effects of microgravity and cosmic radiation

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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