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Study Reveals Brain Changes After Prolonged Spaceflight

1/15/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finds prolonged spaceflight shifts the brain's position and shape.
Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) analyzed MRI scans of 26 astronauts before and after missions and found upward and backward brain shifts.
Compared with 24 civilian bed-rest participants, astronauts showed greater upward movement.
Most changes recover within six months, while some persist.

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Story summary

A study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finds prolonged spaceflight shifts the brain's position and shape.
Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) analyzed MRI scans of 26 astronauts before and after missions and found upward and backward brain shifts.
Compared with 24 civilian bed-rest participants, astronauts showed greater upward movement.
Most changes recover within six months, while some persist.