Review of scientific experiments and technological demonstrations that will be carried out by Eitan Stiva in the sky mission. Out of 31 missions approved. Second review in the series
Neurowellness in Space - cognitive evaluation of the person in microgravity conditions using an advanced EEG system
With the planning for long-duration space missions, monitoring the well-being of astronauts over long periods becomes imperative. In particular, there is a critical need to monitor the brain activity and cognitive function of those staying in microgravity conditions over time. The purpose of the experiment is to monitor the brain activity of Eitan Stiva on Earth (before and after) and during his stay on the space station in a state of rest and while performing various cognitive operations. EEG tests (electroencephalography) will be performed by a new EEG system of a company brain.space High resolution based on dry sensors, which automatically adjusts itself to the subject's head. Collected data will be analyzed using a variety of advanced brain measures by the laboratory of Dr. Oren Shariki at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
This trial is part of the clinical studies that will be performed on members of the AX1 team.
Principal Investigators: brain.space company: Amir Steinberg, Israel Deutsch and Dr. Eran Pribman. Ben-Gurion University of the Negev: Dr. Oren Shariki, Ofir Almagor and Ofer Evin.
Remote Evaluation of Emotional Distress - remote identification of the development of emotional distress and stressful situations
The connection between the body and the mind is close - and it is recognized that emotional distress may cause consequences no less serious than physical illness. But while there are solutions that make it possible to diagnose physical ailments remotely, today there is still no technological solution that makes it possible to identify the development of emotional distress and stress. And in an era where the trend encourages virtual hospitalization and remote medical care, the ability to monitor the well-being of our patients is even more required. There are several challenges that make it difficult to develop remote emotional distress diagnostic solutions, since exposure to events that cause stress and distress cannot be predicted in advance. But unlike normal life, space missions are a controlled and monitored environment. During which significant stressful events (for example, a launch on top of a 500-ton missile) are expected and planned ahead of time. Therefore, the clinicians and researchers at ARC - the Center for Medical Innovation at Sheba, in the Psychiatry Department at Sheba Medical Center and their partners at Thomas Jefferson University in the USA, harness the unique opportunity in a rocket mission to the International Space Station, in order to test the method for remote monitoring of emotional distress through the use of an innovative application and in advanced sensors which are developed at the Center for Medical Innovation in Sheba.
Throughout all phases of the space mission, the mission team will use the R-CARE application. The application, developed especially for the task, contains a collection of short games that challenge different cognitive performance - different memory tasks, motor performance, and the feeling of empathy. Using advanced technologies, various physiological indicators of the spaceflights will be monitored - sleep patterns, vital indicators, and sensory function.
In addition, as part of this experiment, there will be a demonstration of innovative technologies that combine remote sensing and monitoring capabilities developed by Israeli startups, and are expected to enrich the arsenal of clinical tools that enable remote medicine delivery.
The various findings - the performance in the daily tasks, the sleep monitoring, the visual functions and the changes in the biophysiological indices - will be cross-referenced with the AX-1 mission records and the logs of the International Space Station, and the crew's performance will be compared to significant events throughout the space journey. This unique opportunity to examine the effects of stressful situations in a controlled and supervised environment, which will allow the continued development of technologies and methodology for the remote detection of the development of emotional distress situations.
These solutions are expected to be a significant layer in the ability to monitor the well-being of patients, and enable the provision of optimal medicine to our patients wherever they are - hospitalized in the various Sheba wards, patients of the Beyond virtual hospital, and even in outer space.
This trial is part of the clinical studies that will be performed on members of the AX1 team.
main investigator: Dr. Harel Bris, ARC Space Lab of the Center for Medical Innovation at the Sheba Medical Center.
Affiliates: Thomas Jefferson University, and the Israeli start-up companies X-Trodes and Stroke-Alert.
Before the launch and after the return to Earth, in-depth monitoring of the sleep patterns of the astronauts will be carried out using the Advanced Home Sleep Monitoring kit of the X-trodes company. The company, which develops artificial skin sensors, has developed a wearable technology that enables an in-depth analysis of the various stages of sleep alongside other physiological parameters, which are convenient to use and enable monitoring even in the home environment. Evaluation results will allow an assessment of mental stress levels, as manifested in changes in the nighttime sleep architecture of the AX-1 mission staff.
This technological demonstration is part of the clinical studies that will be carried out on sky mission team members.
main investigator: Xtrodes company.
Stroke-Alert - Annex B to the remote detection experiment of the development of emotional distress and stressful situations
Stroke-Alert Company: The company, which is developing a wearable kit for stroke detection, uses an advanced sensor and machine learning tools. After the mission returns to Earth, the technology will be used to assess the recovery of the cardiovascular system, and will help detect a return to the baseline physiological state.
This technological demonstration is part of the clinical studies that will be carried out on sky mission team members.
Effect of microgravity on the aging of the immune system and Alzheimer's disease
Prof. Schwartz's team investigates the changes that apply in understanding brain/immune system interactions, recognizing that the immune system plays a key role in brain function and rehabilitation for life, as well as in resistance to stressful situations. The team showed that immune aging is a key factor that determines the timing, severity and speed of progression of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. In addition, it was found that the immune system is not the main cause of dementia, its dysfunction or exhaustion contribute to speeding up the disease. Immune system exhaustion may be accelerated by environmental factors including diet, lack of sleep, circadian cycle and mental state.
As part of the "Sky" mission, Prof. Schwartz's team proposes to investigate whether gravity-free conditions may affect the immune system, with an effect on brain function.
The characterization of the immunological changes associated with low gravity conditions may help identify nutritional factors that can protect against these effects. The results may identify new pathways of activation and may highlight opportunities for therapeutic interventions that may be used to slow the immune system failures that have an impact on accelerated cognitive loss associated with aging and Alzheimer's disease.
This experiment is not included in the list of experiments selected by the voice of the reader in May 2021, but was approved and added by the scientific and technological committee in September 2021 due to its importance and contribution to comprehensive research at the Weizmann Institute. This trial is part of the clinical studies that will be performed on members of the AX1 team.
Principal investigator: Prof. Michal Schwartz, Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot.
