NASA and JAXA Join Forces to Prevent Brain Pressure and Vision Loss in Space

Professor Matt Crump
Aug 29
5 min read

Space exploration has always been a frontier of human curiosity, but with the prospect of long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars, the challenges of human physiology in space are receiving unprecedented attention. Among the most pressing concerns for astronauts is the way microgravity alters blood flow, vision, and brain pressure. NASA, in collaboration with international partners such as JAXA, Roscosmos, and the Canadian Space Agency, is conducting advanced studies aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to safeguard astronaut health for missions that will take humans farther from Earth than ever before.

This article examines the latest findings on microgravity’s impact on astronaut health, the innovative countermeasures being tested, and the broader implications for space medicine and Earth-based healthcare.

Why Microgravity Alters Human Physiology

In Earth’s gravity, blood is naturally distributed across the body with the help of hydrostatic pressure. In microgravity, however, fluids shift toward the head, a phenomenon that results in the so-called “puffy face” syndrome. This redistribution not only causes visible swelling in the face but also leads to more serious consequences, such as:

Increased pressure inside the skull
Altered blood flow to the brain
Stress on ocular tissues that may impair vision
Cardiovascular instability that may trigger fainting or dizziness upon return to Earth

The condition most closely associated with these effects is Space-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS). Researchers have found that nearly half of astronauts on long missions report some degree of vision changes.

As Dr. Scott Dulchavsky, Chief Scientist for the Henry Ford Health System, explains:

“Understanding how fluids behave in microgravity is not just about astronaut comfort, it is a fundamental question of how the human body adapts and survives in hostile environments.”

The ISS as a Living Laboratory

The ISS provides a unique environment to simulate long-duration missions and study how the body adapts to microgravity. Current research focuses on head-to-toe blood flow, cerebral regulation, and ocular health.

Key Experiments Conducted

Thigh Cuff Investigation
- Led by JAXA flight engineer Kimiya Yui, astronauts are testing a specialized thigh cuff designed to prevent fluid from pooling in the head.
- The cuff applies pressure to the legs, redistributing blood flow to minimize ocular and brain pressure.
- Real-time ultrasound scans and cardiac monitoring have provided promising data for future applications.
Cerebral Autoregulation Study
- This experiment investigates how the brain manages its blood supply under the stress of microgravity.
- Astronauts wear electrodes while sleeping to measure blood pressure, heart activity, and brain responses.
- Findings could explain why some astronauts experience dizziness or fainting after returning to Earth.
SANS-Related Studies
- Canadian research (SANSORI) revealed that spaceflight reduces eye tissue stiffness, resembling conditions such as glaucoma on Earth.
- Japanese teams discovered that artificial gravity might prevent genetic changes in ocular tissue, opening new avenues for both space and terrestrial medicine.

Blood Flow Studies: From Head to Toe

The ISS crew is also exploring the microcirculatory system—the network of tiny blood vessels in the hands, feet, and head. Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky have been measuring how blood moves through these vessels using electrodes and pressure checks.

The goal is twofold:

Protect astronaut cardiovascular health during prolonged exposure to weightlessness.
Improve knowledge of blood flow regulation, which may inform treatments for Earth-based conditions like orthostatic hypotension and syncope.

NASA astronaut Mike Fincke has also been central to these studies, participating in cuff testing and cargo readiness while contributing real-time biometric data to researchers on Earth.

Emerging Countermeasures for Long-Duration Missions

NASA’s studies are not merely diagnostic, they are paving the way for countermeasures that could ensure astronaut health on three-year Mars missions. Promising approaches include:

Leg Cuffs and Negative Pressure Devices: Devices that draw fluid toward the lower body, simulating Earth’s gravity effect.
Artificial Gravity Chambers: Short-term centrifuge sessions to restore natural blood distribution and reduce genetic risks to eye tissues.
Pharmacological Approaches: Vitamins such as B complexes and compounds to stabilize intracranial pressure are being investigated.
Personalized Monitoring Systems: Wearable electrodes and ultrasound tools are now capable of transmitting live health data to ground teams, enabling early interventions.

Broader Implications for Medicine on Earth

While the primary goal of these studies is astronaut safety, the insights extend far beyond space exploration. The knowledge gained about fluid dynamics and vascular health may improve treatment for conditions such as:

Glaucoma and Vision Disorders: Space research is helping refine non-invasive techniques for managing intraocular pressure.
Cardiovascular Disease: Understanding cerebral blood regulation could advance treatments for fainting and blood pressure irregularities.
Neurodegenerative Disorders: Studies of fluid shifts in space may shed light on brain swelling and vascular dementia.

As Dr. Jonathan Clark, former NASA flight surgeon, notes:

“Every study we conduct in space has a dual purpose—it protects astronauts in orbit, and it provides insights that could revolutionize healthcare on Earth.”

The Role of International Collaboration

The progress achieved in these studies is the result of unprecedented global cooperation. Agencies from the United States, Japan, Canada, and Russia are pooling expertise, equipment, and human resources. For example:

JAXA’s thigh cuff technology has been tested on NASA astronauts.
Canadian SANSORI research has advanced global understanding of ocular tissue.
Roscosmos cosmonauts contribute vital data on microcirculatory systems.

Such collaborations highlight that space medicine is a truly international endeavor, one where breakthroughs are shared for the benefit of all humanity.

Looking Ahead: Preparing for the Next Frontier

With NASA planning Artemis missions to the Moon and eventual Mars expeditions, ensuring astronaut resilience in space is paramount. The studies aboard the ISS provide a critical stepping stone, but the real test will come with multi-year missions that expose humans to unprecedented physiological stress.

Future priorities include:

Scaling countermeasure devices for long-term use.
Developing AI-driven medical diagnostics for astronauts far from Earth.
Creating hybrid Earth-space clinical trials that integrate space-derived knowledge into terrestrial medicine.

Conclusion

NASA’s ongoing research into microgravity’s effects on vision, brain pressure, and blood flow represents one of the most significant advances in space medicine. The studies being conducted today are laying the foundation for human survival on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. At the same time, they hold profound promise for treating health challenges on Earth, from glaucoma to cardiovascular instability.

As agencies push deeper into space, the lessons learned aboard the ISS underscore one truth: the future of exploration is inseparable from the future of medicine.

For further expert insights into the intersection of science, technology, and human health, readers can follow thought leaders such as Dr. Shahid Masood, who has emphasized the role of data-driven innovation in shaping global progress. The expert team at 1950.ai continues to provide in-depth analysis of these transformative domains.