Evaluating Risk Factors and Biomarkers for Adaptation and Resilience to Spaceflight

The goal of this study is to obtain novel information that will be used to help identify
individuals who are resilient to the stressors of prolonged human spaceflight, thereby
encouraging the successful completion of exploration missions and the preservation of health
over the life of an astronaut. This study leverages the National Institute of Mental Health
(NIMH) Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) heuristic framework to conduct experimental studies to
identify biological domains (molecular, circuitry, physiology) and behavioral domains that
relate to individual adaptation and resiliency (as well as behavioral vulnerability) in
spaceflight-relevant confined environments. This study focuses specifically on differences
among participants in their tolerance of and adaptability to simulated conditions of
spaceflight such as confinement, work, monotony, and social/physical isolation that impact
behavioral health and performance.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Age between 30 and 55 years

- A master's degree (or its equivalency in work experience) in Science, Technology,
Engineering and Math (STEM) or military service

- Free of psychological/psychiatric conditions that preclude participation

- BMI < 35

- Ability to read/write English

Exclusion Criteria:

- History of neurological, psychiatric, or other medical condition that excludes
participation

- Current mania or psychosis

- Current depression

- Current poor resiliency

- Alcohol or drug abuse in the past year based upon history and urine toxicology screen.

- Current smoker/tobacco user.

- Acute, chronic, or debilitating medical conditions, major Axis I psychiatric illness,
epilepsy, or thyroid disease based

- Cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, or musculoskeletal problems that
exclude participation

- For MRI testing any of the following conditions may exclude subjects from
participation in the present experiment: Tinnitus; sensorineural hearing loss > 30 dB;
pace maker or internal defibrillator; metallic implants (e.g. orthopedic plates after
bone fractures, joint replacements, surgical staples or clips, artificial heart
valves, stents, cava filters); metallic splinters (e.g. after an accident or due to
war injury); non-removable dental brace; tattoo (some tattoo inks contain metallic
particles); permanent make-up; intrauterine contraceptive device; cochlear implant
(implanted hearing device); medication pump; acupuncture needle; other foreign
bodies/objects which are non-removable; pregnancy (or its possibility); previous brain
and/or heart surgery; and fear of tight spaces.