Brain Power Comparison Between Microgravity and Head-Down Tilt Bed Rest: An Electroencephalography Approach

Authors

• María Sevilla-García
• Adrián Quivira-Lopesino
• Pablo Cuesta
• Sandra Pusil
• Ricardo Bruña
• Patrique Fiedler
• Fernando Maestu
• Ana Maria Cebolla
• Guy Cheron
• Katharina Brauns
• Alexander C Stahn
• Michael E Funke

Language

English

Publication Date

11-27-2025

Journal

Scientific Reports

DOI

10.1038/s41598-025-26291-8

PMID

41309707

PMCID

PMC12660935

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

11-27-2025

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

This study examines neurophysiological changes in microgravity by comparing EEG data from two ground analog 60-day head-down tilt bed rest (HDBR) experiments (ESA/DLR “Cocktail” and “RSL”) and the NEUROSPAT experiment in space. The primary objective was to determine whether HDBR could effectively model spaceflight’s impact on the human brain’s EEG signal. In the HDBR dataset, increases in relative delta (2–4 Hz) (p <  0.01) and theta (4–8 Hz) (p <  0.001) power bands were observed during a two-month HDBR experiment, predominantly in the left temporal and parieto-occipital regions. Conversely, the NEUROSPAT dataset showed a significant increase in beta (12–30 Hz) (p <  0.05) power in the left somatosensory cortex during in-flight conditions, suggesting a potential adaptation to disrupted proprioceptive input and motor control in microgravity. The contrasting findings between the two datasets indicate that while HDBR can simulate some aspects of microgravity, it may not serve as a model for all central nervous system changes, especially those related to proprioception and motor functions. This highlights the need for further research, including larger sample sizes, consistent EEG recording conditions, and integration of additional physiological and cognitive markers to fully understand the effects of prolonged microgravity.

Keywords

Humans, Electroencephalography, Head-Down Tilt, Bed Rest, Weightlessness, Male, Brain, Adult, Female, Space Flight, Weightlessness Simulation, EEG, Spaceflight, HDBR, Microgravity, Spaceflight analogs, Neuroscience, Neurophysiology

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Sevilla-García, María; Quivira-Lopesino, Adrián; Cuesta, Pablo; et al., "Brain Power Comparison Between Microgravity and Head-Down Tilt Bed Rest: An Electroencephalography Approach" (2025). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 4161.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthmed_docs/4161