Study examines behavior of human brain activity in space
How does the environment in space affect human brain function, and how does the brain adapt to it? Chinese scientists hope to find answers to these questions by using China’s Tiangong space station, which is orbiting about 400 kilometers above Earth. As China’s space station enters the application and development stage, one of the crew’s main tasks is to carry out scientific experiments. Among them is the in-orbit electroencephalogram (EEG) test, which focuses on the operation of the human brain in space.
According to Wang Bo, a researcher from the China Astronaut Research and Training Center, an in-orbit EEG test platform has recently been established. As a safe, reliable, portable and easy-to-use platform, it can be used to carry out all kinds of EEG research experiments.
“Starting from the Shenzhou XI mission, we carried out the first EEG experiments and verified the applicability of brain-computer interaction technology in orbit using robots,” says Wang. “We then carried out dozens of in-orbit EEG tests, built a platform, developed several research paradigms and realized some model tests.”
In collaboration with several batches of astronauts, researchers from the China Astronaut Research and Training Center have developed a series of standard procedures for EEG testing through ground screening and in-orbit validation.
According to Wang, there are three research objectives. “We hope to learn what kind of effect the environment in space has on the human brain, how the brain adapts to the environment and remodels its nerves and, finally, we want to develop or validate some brain enhancement techniques.”
He adds that in the long run, the in-orbit EEG test could explore the mysteries of brain evolution and provide new ideas for the development of “brain-like intelligence”.
Some breakthroughs have already been made. For example, the research team has developed a brain load classification model of multiple dimensions that integrates physiological, performance and behavioral data, improving the classification accuracy. The team has also made some achievements in modeling data on brain fatigue, brain load and alertness.
In addition to academic research, EEG testing in a space station also supports the crew’s long-term stay in space, helping them maintain a good state of brain function and carry out their work efficiently.
Astronauts perform many complex and delicate operations in space, so it is important to maintain good brain function, Wang explains. “We expect to enhance this ability through brain stimulation and other technologies, in order to maximize the roles of people in space.”
Cao Yong, a researcher from the China Astronaut Research and Training Center says that at first, the astronauts are guided into a resting state, where we collect data from a relatively smooth period that serves as a baseline.
“Then, after resting, the astronauts will carry out a series of operations, generating new response data. We will combine the EEG data to comprehensively determine the astronauts’ brain load status.”
In order to find better ways to enhance the astronauts’ brain function, the researchers have done a great deal of work in the design of the experimental process, acquisition hardware, and analysis algorithms, Cao says. Furthermore, brain-computer interaction is a hot topic on the frontier of science and technology.
This technology will transform human thinking into an operation instruction, which is beneficial for multithreaded and remote operations, Wang says.
It is expected to be applied in some complex extravehicular activities, as well as human-machine cooperation, to ultimately improve the overall efficiency of the crew and the station’s operation, he adds.