Space travel changes brain structure, study reveals
16 Jan 2026

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) has found that long-duration space travel can alter the structure and position of astronauts' brains.

The research showed that astronauts returning from space had an upward tilt and backward shift in their brains compared to their normal position on Earth.

The changes were most pronounced in areas related to sensory processing, balance, disorientation, and motion sickness.

Study examines brain shifts and deformations
Research methodology

The researchers looked at how different parts of the brain shifted and deformed, and how these changes were related to behavior.

They used MRI data from 26 astronauts and 24 participants in a "long-duration head-down tilt bed rest study."

The study found that the brain shifts backward, upward, and rotates back in the pitch direction from before to after spaceflight or bed rest in a manner that correlates with exposure duration.

Most brain changes revert within 6 months
Recovery timeline

The study suggests that most spaceflight-induced brain changes largely revert to their pre-flight state within six months of returning to Earth, with the most recovery seen in the vertical plane.

However, a few changes remained beyond that period.

Rachael Seidler, a professor at the University of Florida and co-author of the study, stressed on understanding these changes and their impacts for astronaut safety and longevity.

Research contributes to understanding of microgravity effects
Aerospace medicine

The findings add to a growing body of work in aerospace medicine looking at how space travel and long-term exposure to microgravity affect the human body.

This research is especially important as NASA plans long-duration missions, including a permanent base on the Moon and future trips deeper into the solar system.

Seidler noted that those who spent a year in space showed the largest changes, suggesting duration is a key factor.

Future research needed to map brain changes
Study limitations

The researchers acknowledge their analysis is limited by common spaceflight study issues, such as small sample sizes and short timeframes for brain scans.

They stress the need for future studies with more astronauts across different mission durations to better understand when brain changes occur, how they progress, and how recovery happens after returning to Earth.