Name: Coherence between Brain Cortical Function and Neurocognitive Performance during Changed Gravity Conditions (Video) | JoVE Journal
Uploaded: 2011-05-23T15:00:00.000+00:00
Duration: 12 min 29 s
Description: Learn how to monitor brain cortical function using combined EEG and NIRS during parabolic flights. This method reveals hemodynamic and electrophysiological changes in altered gravity to support astronaut cognitive health.

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We would like to thank Brain Products GmbH for providing their equipment, expertise and help. This study was funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology via a grant from the German Space Agency (DLR) 50WB0819.

1. Experimental Procedure
<ol>
 <li>On ground pre-flight preparation - The subject preparation is done in a separate room at the airport. (1-2 hours before the flight)
 <ol>
 <li>Mounting the EEG/NIRS cap
 <ol>
 <li>Electrodes and NIR sensors are attached to the scalp using an EEG cap. This method ensures the correct position of the sensors.</li>
 <li>The size of the cap is determined by the size of the subject's head</li>
 <li>The operator makes sure of the correct position of the cap. The Cz electrode is on the vertex (the point midway between the nasion and onion), the PO9-PO10 and the Fp1-Fp2 electrodes are horizontal, the cap is symmetric.</li>
 <li>The heart rate electrode is placed on the chest</li>
 </ol>
 </li>
 <li>Minimization of Impedance
 <ol>
 <li>The Brain Products actiCAP electrodes are connected to the control box. </li>
 <li>Every electrode contains LEDs, which turn red, when the impedance measurement is started.</li>
 <li>The hair is moved away from the tip of the electrode with a blunt-tipped needle.</li>
 <li>Gel is injected between the tip of the electrode and the surface of the skin.</li>
 <li>The color of the LEDs change, as the impedance decreases. The initial red color becomes yellow, the yellow becomes green, if the target impedance value is achieved.</li>
 <li>The target impedance is 25 kOhm, since the active electrodes provide good signal-to-noise ration below this value. Therefore the cap preparation is quick and convenient.</li>
 <li>The operator starts to work on the reference and ground electrodes, and repeats for all other electrodes.</li>
 </ol>
 </li>
 </ol>
 </li>
 <li>On board pre-flight preparation
 <ol>
 <li>Pre-measurements
 <ol>
 <li>Subjects are placed into the experimental setup, the seat belts are fastened loosely</li>
 <li>Cables are connected, the batteries are loaded. </li>
 <li>The operator starts the EEG and NIRS module, controls the connectivity and the quality of the EEG/NIRS signal.</li>
 <li>Recording resting state EEG/NIRS. The subjects do not have any task.</li>
 <li>The recording is stopped.</li>
 <li>The subjects perform the cognitive task on the ground. The cognitive task is an attention/calculation task (<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chalkboard-challenge/id317961833?mt=8">http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chalkboard-challenge/id317961833?mt=8</a>), where subjects have to identify that side of an equation which is larger than the other in relation to speed and accuracy.</li>
 </ol>
 </li>
 <li>Storing the equipment
 <ol>
 <li>The operator stores the camera and the IPhones for take off.</li>
 </ol>
 </li>
 </ol>
 </li>
 <li>In flight measurement
 <ol>
 <li>Preparation
 <ol>
 <li>Operator mounts the video-camera to handrail and starts recording.</li>
 <li>The iPhones are placed on the upper leg of the subjects.</li>
 <li>The operator starts the EEG and NIRS module, controls the quality of the EEG/NIRS signal, and starts the recording.</li>
 </ol>
 </li>
 <li>Measurement
 <ol>
 <li>The subjects perform the cognitive task during two blocks of five parabolas between parabola 11-15 and 16-20. Task will be performed in a random order in weightlessness or normal gravity. Only resting state EEG/NIRS is recorded during the first 10 parabolas. The last parabolas will be used in case of missing previous measurements (see Figure 1).</li>
 <li>The operator controls the recording, and instructs the subjects. The operator will write down all results of the cognitive tests and times.</li>
 </ol>
 </li>
 </ol>
 </li>
 <li>On ground post-flight measurement
 <ol style="list-style-type:none;">
<li>
 <ol>
 <li>Resting state EEG/NIRS measurement is carried out.</li>
 </ol>
</li>
 </ol>
 </li>
</ol>
We expect to find increased cerebral activation during weightlessness as shown before (Schneider et. al 2008+ 2009). We further expect so see increased oxygenated tissue in the frontal brain in weightlessness and lower oxygenated tissue in hypergravity. The attention task is supposed to be impaired during the whole flight compared to pre and post flight and maybe even more in weightlessness due to higher central activation and arousal in weightlessness.
2. Representative Results
Mapping the transition from the hypergravity phase to weightlessness we were able to observe increased brain cortical activity in the frontal cortex and decreased activity in the temporal and occipital cortex 2000 - 2350 ms after the onset of weightlessness (Figure 2a,b). sLORETA allowed localizing this increased frontal activation in Brodmann area 9 of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which is known to be involved in executive functions with the integration of sensory and mnemonic information in the course of motor planning, organization and regulation, (Figure 3a, b). In addition, subject 2 showed an increase in Brodmann area 6, the premotor cortex, which plays a role in sensory guidance in the course of body stabilization (see Figure 3b).
Averaged over the first 10 parabolas, NIRS analysis revealed decreased oxygenated hemoglobin (HHb) concentration of both subjects in hypergravity as well as increased oxygenated hemoglobin (O2Hb) in weightlessness. For HHb hemoglobin in subject 1 we found a trend of an increase in the hypergravity phase prior to weightlessness as well as a decrease during weightlessness and the hypergravity phase after weightlessness. In this subject O2Hb was back to baseline 10 to 15 sec following the parabola. In contrast subject 2 showed a slight increase along with the decrease of O2Hb in the hypergravity phase prior to weightlessness, an increase during weightlessness and a decrease during hypergravity after weightlessness. For this subject O2Hb remained to be decreased for about 30 sec following parabola (Figure 4a,b)
The cognitive task resulted in decreased performance scores for both participants in normal gravity during the flight compared to a preflight session. Only subject 2 showed a decreased score in weightlessnes (Figure 5).
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/2670/2670fig1.jpg" alt="EEG/NIRS experiment timing diagram for cognitive task analysis with rest intervals and participant data." data-altupdatedat="1788235205000" data-alt="Figure 1"> 
Figure 1. Parabolic flight sequence. Order of tasks and measurements during the flight; number of parabolas are indicated in grey, numbers with apostrophe indicate the length of longer breaks between parabolas.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/2670/2670fig2a.jpg" alt="EEG time-series scalp maps; electrophysiology data, event-related potential diagrams, neural activity." data-altupdatedat="1788235205000" data-alt="Figure 2a"> <img src="/files/ftp_upload/2670/2670fig2b.jpg" alt="EEG topographic maps series showing brain activity over time; diagram for neural signal analysis." data-altupdatedat="1788235205000" data-alt="Figure 2b"> 
Figure 2 Mapping view of two subjects over the timeframe of 500 ms before weightlessness (in hypergravity) until 2500 ms in weightlessness. View is from above the head; little circles indicate electrode positions, blue color decreases and yellow to red color increases of electrocortical activity in micro Volt.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/2670/2670fig3a.jpg" alt="Brain activation patterns; fMRI result; diagram with color scale indicating intensity levels." data-altupdatedat="1788235205000" data-alt="Figure 3a"> 
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/2670/2670fig3b.jpg" alt="Brain activity fMRI analysis; diagrams show activation regions with heat map and color scale." data-altupdatedat="1788235205000" data-alt="Figure 3b"> 
Figure 3. Three LORETA views (top: from above, bottom left: from the left side, bottom right: from the back) of two subjects over the timeframe of 2000 ms until 2350 ms after onset of weightlessness. Red color indicates increased brain activity.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/2670/2670fig4a.jpg" alt="Magnetic field effect graph; shows data analysis with 1G and 1.8G gradations; experimental results." data-altupdatedat="1788235205000" data-alt="Figure 4a"> 
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/2670/2670fig4b.jpg" alt="Static equilibrium; ΣFx=0; data graph; experimental plot; balance analysis; force readings chart." data-altupdatedat="1788235205000" data-alt="Figure 4b"> 
Figure 4. NIRS traces (red: oxygenated hemoglobin, blue: deoxygenated hemoglobin, black: gravity level) over the period of one parabola from 40 sec before the parabola in normal gravity (1G: yellow area), over the first hypergravity phase (1.8G: blue area), weightlessness (0G: red area) and the second hypergravity phase (1.8G: blue area) until 40 sec after the parabola. Gravity level is displayed inverse (decrease of trace means increase of gravity starting from 0 equal to normal gravity (1G). Data shown is an average over 10 parabolas.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/2670/2670fig5.jpg" alt="Line graph comparing quantities for two participants over three intervals." data-altupdatedat="1788235205000" data-alt="Figure 5"> 
Figure 5. Performance score of cognitive task of participant 1 (blue trace) and 2 (red trace) for the measurements training before flight and inflight in weightlessness (0G) and normal gravity (1G).

<ol><li>Santo, N. G. D. e, Cirillo, M., Kirsch, K. A., Correale, G., Drummer, C., Frassl, W., Perna, A. F., Stazio, E. D. i, Bellini, L., Gunga, H. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Anemia+and+erythropoietin+in+space+flights%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Semin+Nephrol%22%5BJournal%5D)">Anemia and erythropoietin in space flights.</a> Semin Nephrol. 25, 379-387 (2005).</li>
<li>Ellis, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Collisions+in+space%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22%22%5BJournal%5D)">Collisions in space.</a> , 4-9 (2000).</li>
<li>Genik, R. J. 2nd, Green, C. C., Graydon, F. X., Armstrong, R. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Cognitive+avionics+and+watching+spaceflight+crews+think%3A+generation-after-next+research+tools+in+functional+neuroimaging.+Aviat+Space+Environ+Med+76%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22%22%5BJournal%5D)">Cognitive avionics and watching spaceflight crews think: generation-after-next research tools in functional neuroimaging. Aviat Space Environ Med 76.</a> , 208-212 (2005).</li>
<li>Schneider, S., Brummer, V., Carnahan, H., Dubrowski, A., Askew, C. D., Struder, H. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((What+happens+to+the+brain+in+weightlessness%3F+A+first+approach+by+EEG+tomography%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Neuroimage%22%5BJournal%5D)">What happens to the brain in weightlessness? A first approach by EEG tomography.</a> Neuroimage. 42, 1316-1323 (2008).</li>
<li>Schneider, S., Brummer, V., Mierau, A., Carnahan, H., Dubrowski, A., Strueder, H. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Increased+brain+cortical+activity+during+parabolic+flights+has+no+influence+on+a+motor+tracking+task%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Exp+Brain+Res%22%5BJournal%5D)">Increased brain cortical activity during parabolic flights has no influence on a motor tracking task.</a> Exp Brain Res. 185, 571-579 (2008).</li>
<li>Schneider, S., Brummer, V., Gobel, S., Carnahan, H., Dubrowski, A., Struder, H. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Parabolic+flight+experience+is+related+to+increased+release+of+stress+hormones%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Eur+J+Appl+Physiol%22%5BJournal%5D)">Parabolic flight experience is related to increased release of stress hormones.</a> Eur J Appl Physiol. 100, 301-308 (2007).</li>
</ol>

The production of this article was sponsored by Brain Products, GmbH. Roland Csuhaj is an employee of Brain Products, GmbH, which manufactures an instrument used in this article.

Due to missing brain-imaging methods under extreme conditions so far the underlying neurophysiological processes for impairment in cognitive 
performance and mental state have not been evaluated. In this paper we were able to display changes in brain cortical activity and oxygenation level in 
the course of a parabolic flight and to localize these changes within the brain using EEG combined with LORETA and NIRS. As expected, we found an 
increase in electrocortical activity during weightlessness, which was localized in frontal brain regions (Brodmann areas 9+6). Results indicate 
that approximately 2000 ms after the transition brain cortical activity is altered mainly in frontal brain regions. It might be assumed that this 
increased activity in Brodmann area 6 and 9 reflects the mechanisms of the brain detecting and processing changed gravity conditions in order to keep 
body stability as well as motor ability in altered gravity conditions.
Regarding hemodynamic changes, NIRS revealed that the O2Hb of the frontal brain dramatically decreases in the first hypergravity phase and increases in weightlessness, whereas, HHb showed only moderate changes. Accordingly this effect cannot be attributed to a shift of blood volume solely. More likely this seems to reflect a kind of cerebral autoregulation, especially as the increase of O2Hb occurs long before the transition from 1.8 G to 0G (especially in figure 4). In contrast O2Hb and HHB both decrease in the second hypergravity phase.
The results of the cognitive task indicate no clear impairment during normal gravity or weightlessness inflight compared to a preflight session. Based on the results of two subjects no clear statement is possible whether parabolic flights or weightlessness together with its increase in brain activity and oxygenation level have an influence on cognitive performance. Earlier studies give reason to believe that in this context stress might also play a role (Schneider et al. 2007), nevertheless no changes in cortisol concentration could be obtained for both subjects. Further data is needed to validate these findings and to allow correlation of changes in brain cortical activity, hemodynamic changes as well as cognitive performance. 
This paper intended to show that monitoring of local changes in brain cortical activity and oxygenation level throughout different phases of changed gravity is possible by using EEG in combination with NIRS and LORETA. These results are a success for space research and will enable displaying complex and local changes of brain cortical activity in hypergravity or weightlessness and correlating mental or motor test with objective changes in the brain. The next step is to apply this method during long-term space missions.

coherence between brain cortical function and neurocognitive performance during changed gravity conditions

Coherence between Brain Cortical Function and Neurocognitive Performance during Changed Gravity Conditions

Previous studies of cognitive, mental and/or motor processes during short-, medium- and long-term weightlessness have only been descriptive in nature, and focused on psychological aspects. Until now, objective observation of neurophysiological parameters has not been carried out - undoubtedly because the technical and methodological means have not been available -, investigations into the neurophysiological effects of weightlessness are in their infancy (Schneider et al. 2008).
While imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) would be hardly applicable in space, the non-invasive near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technique represents a method of mapping hemodynamic processes in the brain in real time that is both relatively inexpensive and that can be employed even under extreme conditions. The combination with electroencephalography (EEG) opens up the possibility of following the electrocortical processes under changing gravity conditions with a finer temporal resolution as well as with deeper localization, for instance with electrotomography (LORETA).
Previous studies showed an increase of beta frequency activity under normal gravity conditions and a decrease under weightlessness conditions during a parabolic flight (Schneider et al. 2008a+b). Tilt studies revealed different changes in brain function, which let suggest, that changes in parabolic flight might reflect emotional processes rather than hemodynamic changes. However, it is still unclear whether these are effects of changed gravity or hemodynamic changes within the brain. Combining EEG/LORETA and NIRS should for the first time make it possible to map the effect of weightlessness and reduced gravity on both hemodynamic and electrophysiological processes in the brain. Initially, this is to be done as part of a feasibility study during a parabolic flight. Afterwards, it is also planned to use both techniques during medium- and long-term space flight.
It can be assumed that the long-term redistribution of the blood volume and the associated increase in the supply of oxygen to the brain will lead to changes in the central nervous system that are also responsible for anaemic processes, and which can in turn reduce performance (De Santo et al. 2005), which means that they could be crucial for the success and safety of a mission (Genik et al. 2005, Ellis 2000).
Depending on these results, it will be necessary to develop and employ extensive countermeasures. Initial results for the MARS500 study suggest that, in addition to their significance in the context of the cardiovascular and locomotor systems, sport and physical activity can play a part in improving neurocognitive parameters. Before this can be fully established, however, it seems necessary to learn more about the influence of changing gravity conditions on neurophysiological processes and associated neurocognitive impairment.

The effect of weightlessness and hypergravity on both hemodynamic and electrophysiological processes in the brain is going to be followed during parabolic flight by EEG and NIRS techniques. 
A feasibility study of a more complex experiment, which is planned to carry out during medium- and long-term space flight.

Previous studies of cognitive, mental and/or motor processes during short-, medium- and long-term weightlessness have only been descriptive in nature, and ...

This procedure applies a combined EEG and near infrared spectroscopy recording technique to determine to what extent decreased neurocognitive performance in weightlessness is due to the primary effects of hemodynamic and electro cortical changes or to secondary stress related effects. This is accomplished by monitoring changes in electro cortical activity of participants during a parabolic flight, including phases of microgravity, microgravity, and normal gravity. Hemodynamic changes within the frontal brain can be monitored in parallel using near infrared spectroscopy or nerves.The changes in brain cortical activity can then be localized using electromagnetic tomography. The final step is to correlate the electro cortical and hemodynamic changes. Ultimately, results show that the hemodynamic changes due to changed gravity conditions are associated with changes in electro cortical function.The main advantage of this technique over existing methods like MRI or PET, is that electrophotography combined with electro tomography and near infrared spectroscopy is feasible during extreme environments like parabolic flights or space flights with HyperV weightlessness limited loads and limited space, and it allows to measure and correlate changes in neural electrical activity and hemodynamic kill changes within the brain. This method helps answering key questions in the field of neurophysiology and space research, such as changed gravity conditions leading to hemodynamic and electric cortical changes. It helps answering where exactly in the brain these changes happen and what the consequences of these changes are.Once we have identified the underlying neurophysiological processes, once we have identified what happens to brain cortical function and to hemodynamic while we are in space, while we are in weightlessness, we are able to develop specific countermeasures to improve life quality, mission success, and mission safety. So this method can provide insights into brain working mechanisms, or it could also be applied to other systems like neurological impairments of neurological patients, or the fundamental idea of how our brain works. We first had the idea for this research when we heard about neurocognitive decrements from astronauts living in space.The visual demonstration of this method is critical because it is difficult to learn the analyzing steps because there are many ways to treat and analyze the data One to two hours prior to the flight. The participants are taken to a room at the airport to prepare for the experiments. First, their head circumference is measured and their scalp is cleaned so that the EEG cap with the integrated nurse optos and receiver can be placed on the participant's head.The next step is to mark the positions for the FP one and FP two electrodes. First, the distance between the nasn and inion is measured next at a distance, one 10th of the way between the Sian and the inion. Starting from the Sian, two marks are made to the left and right of the midline at a distance that is one 20th of the head circumference.The cap contains the electrodes that will be attached to the scalp and ensures the correct position of the sensors. An EEG cap is chosen that is appropriate for the participant's head size. Next, the cap is pulled over.The participant's head and its position is checked. The CZ electrode should be on the vertex and the FP one and FP two, and the O one and O2 electrodes should be horizontal and on the marks, a chin strap is fastened to assure that the cap remains in a symmetric and proper position. Next, the heart rate electrode is placed to do this one EEG electrode can be used and the sensor is placed on the participant's chest.Now the impedance of the electrodes is minimized and the signal conduction is checked. Each electrode contains LEDs, which will be read when the impedance measurement is started. The hair is moved away from the tip of the electrode with a blunt tipped needle, and gel is injected between the tip of the electrode and the surface of the skin, starting with the reference and ground electrodes.As the gel is injected, the color of the LEDs will change as the impedance decreases, such that the initial red color will first become yellow and then green. As the target impedance value is achieved at 25 kilo ohms, the act of electrodes will provide good signal to noise ratio at or below this target value. This procedure is repeated for all of the cap electrodes.Once the electrode cap is prepped for both participants, the participants are given instructions on the details of parabolic flight and the experimental time schedule that will be followed. A schematic overview of parabola zero through 30 and the tasks to be performed is presented to the participants. Also, the verbal announcements detailing when and how to start and stop the tests are reviewed.Finally, the participants are brought to the airplane for onboard flight preparation. Once on board, the participants are seated next to each other in the experimental setup, and the seat belts are fastened loosely. The EEG cables are connected to the electrode control box and the electrode control box is connected to the amplifier.Next, the nerves OIDs and receiver are fixed into the OID holder in the EEG cap. At this point, the EEG NERS module is started. This controls the connectivity and the quality of the signal.Then the nerves and EEG software is started and a workspace to record. The data is opened. Then the file name, the recording frequency, and the montage are entered.If any signals are suboptimal. The impedance values for EEG or the DAQ values for nerves are readjusted or more gel is injected as needed. At this point, the recording of the EEG and nerve signal is started and the resting state prem measurements are collected.The participants do not have any tasks at this point, but should remain still relax and keep their eyes closed. Recording is stopped after three minutes. After the rest period, the participants will perform a baseline test of the cognitive task chalkboard challenge.Finally, all devices are turned off and the EEG electrode control box as well as the nurse's optos and receiver are disconnected. All equipment, including the camera and the iPhones are stored in a compartment for takeoff preparation for the in, in-flight experiments is started. Once the aircraft has reached a cruising altitude, the first step is to mount the video camera to the handrail, then to start the video recording.Next, the participants are placed in their seats and the seat belts are fastened loosely. Participants should remain seated at least for parabola zero through 25. The iPhones are attached to the upper leg of the participants with Velcro.Now, the EEG electrode control box is connected and the nerves optos and receiver are fixed into the opto holder in the cap. The EEG and nerves module is started and the quality of the EEG nerve signal is verified by checking the EEG impedance and the NS DAQ values. Rest recording is performed for three minutes.The first parabola, which is designated parabola zero, will be used to allow the participants to accommodate to the procedure and to the change to gravity conditions. Then during parabola one through 10, only resting state EEG nurse is recorded while the participants sit quietly in their seats with their eyes closed. Next, the participants are prepared for the cognitive tasks that will be performed during two blocks of five parabola.The recording is controlled by the operator who gives instructions to the participants and also saves the results of the cognitive tests and times. In this cognitive processing task, the participant identifies which side of an equation is larger than the other speed and accuracy of the participant's. Response is recorded by the program, and a final high score is given, dependent on accuracy, speed, and the highest level that the participant reached during parabola 11 through 15.Participant one will perform this task in zero G and participant in one G.Then during parabola 16 through 20, participant one will perform this task in one G and participant two in zero G occasionally. Rest measurements are recorded during the parabolic sequence as well as before the first and after the last parabola. The last 10 parabola can be used in case any previous measurements or experiments need to be repeated.Once back on the ground, the participants and operator are allowed to leave the plane temporarily before getting back into the experimental setup and preparing everything for the post measurements. At this time, the resting state EEG nurse measurements are repeated. Once all recording is completed and the cap is removed from the participant, the experiment is finished using low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography or Loretta.It is possible to determine individual changes in frontal brain cortical activity. For participant one, the change occurring 2000 milliseconds after the beginning of microgravity was localized to Broadman area nine, which belongs to the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex. This region plays an important role in the integration of sensory and mnemonic information in the course of motor planning organization and regulation.For participant two, these changes could be localized to Broadman area nine and also to Broadman area six, the pre-motor cortex, which is known for its role in sensory regulation in the course of body stabilization. This next trace shows near infrared spectroscopy in the frontal brain region. The black curve indicates the G level.The yellow background indicates normal gravity. The blue background indicates hyper gravity and the pink background indicates microgravity as expected. There is a decrease of oxygenated blood as shown by the red trace in the microgravity phase, followed by an increase of oxygenated blood in the microgravity phase.Similar results are seen in this figure from another participant. Interestingly, the amount of deoxygenated blood as shown by the blue trace, showed no consistent behavior for the first HyperV phase or the weightlessness phase, but in both subjects showed a decrease in the second HyperV phase. This figure shows the cognitive task for two subjects for three measurement points during training, which was measured before the flight in zero Gs, which was measured during the flight, and at one G also measured during the flight.The scores differ between the subjects indicating that previously reported neurocognitive decrements during parabolic flights are most likely due to individual stress reactions. After having watched this video, you should have a good understanding of how to apply the combined e, e, g and knees technique, as well as how to monitor electro cortical activity and hemodynamic changes in parallel. While attempting this procedure, it is important to check the quality of the signal and to monitor the behavior of the subjects.These techniques might pave the way for researchers who are interested in brain cortical function and to explore the effects of microgravity on brain cortical function, and once we have identified these mechanisms, this might help patients, astronauts as well as normal people.

coherence-between-brain-cortical-function-neurocognitive-performance

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Learn how to monitor brain cortical function using combined EEG and NIRS during parabolic flights. This method reveals hemodynamic and electrophysiological changes in altered gravity to support astronaut cognitive health.

Coherence between Brain Cortical Function and Neurocognitive Performance during Changed Gravity Conditions

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