Brain changes in fighter pilots may shed light on astronaut space travel

By James Gamble via SWNS

Studying brain changes in fighter pilots may lead to better training for astronauts embarking on long space flights to other planets, suggests new research.

Belgian scientists who compared the brain scans of 10 fast fighter jet pilots noticed differences in connectivity which they believe could shed light on what occurs in the brains of astronauts during spaceflight.

The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Physiology, concluded that further research on fighter pilots could help better prepare astronauts for long journeys in space - which is crucial if mankind is ever to explore planets other than our own.

Researchers from the University of Antwerp first recruited 10 F-16 Fighter Falcon pilots from the Belgian Air Force, alongside 10 non-pilots.

All 20 underwent MRI scans of the brain to measure and compare the functional brain connectivity in fighter pilots - the first time such an experiment has been performed.

The scans revealed that pilots with more flight experience displayed specific brain connectivity patterns in areas relating to 'sensorimotor information,' which refers to the process in which sensory information is coupled with a motor response in the central nervous system.

This may indicate that the brain adapts to cope with the extreme conditions experienced during flight.

More experienced pilots also showed increased connectivity in the frontal areas of the brain likely involved in the cognitive demands of flying complicated jets.

In comparison to the non-pilots, the study also showed that areas of the brain processing vestibular and visual information - the combination of sensory signals with visual information to assist the control of things like posture and eye movement - were better connected in pilots.

This is estimated to reflect the need for pilots to cope with processing multiple and sometimes conflicting visual and vestibular stimuli at once and prioritize the most important stimuli, such as reading instruments in the cockpit.

Study senior author Professor Floris Wuyts says his team chose to focus on a somewhat similar profession to astronauts, as the latter were a somewhat rare commodity.

Prof. Wuyts said: "Fighter pilots have some interesting similarities with astronauts, such as exposure to altered g-levels, and the need to interpret visual information and information coming from head movements and acceleration (vestibular information).

“By establishing the specific brain connectivity characteristics of fighter pilots, we can gain more insight into the condition of astronauts after spaceflight."

Another author of the research added that more such studies were imperative in gaining further knowledge of what might happen to the brain during spaceflight, and are essential if humanity ever hopes to reach faraway planets.

Dr. Wilhelmina Radstake, who conducted a Master’s thesis in Prof. Wuyt’s lab, said: "By demonstrating that vestibular and visual information is processed differently in pilots compared to non-pilots, we can recommend that pilots are a suitable study group to gain more insight into the brain’s adaptations toward unusual gravitational environments, such as during spaceflight."