Spaceflight-related ocular changes: the potential role of genetics, and the potential of B vitamins as a countermeasure

Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care
Scott M Smith, Sara R Zwart

Abstract

Within the last decade, it was realized that during and after long-duration spaceflight, some astronauts experience ophthalmic abnormalities including refractive changes, optic disc edema, globe flattening, choroidal folds, and cotton wool spots. Much research has been initiated and conducted, but little evidence is available to differentiate affected crewmembers. The first published data to distinguish between affected and nonaffected crewmembers identified biochemical differences in affected astronauts: one-carbon pathway metabolite concentrations were higher in these individuals than in nonaffected astronauts, even before flight. These data led to findings that genetics and B-vitamin status were predictors of the incidence of the ophthalmic abnormalities. A multihit hypothesis was developed, with genetics and B-vitamin status as two of several important elements that all contribute to endothelial dysfunction and ultimately to ophthalmic changes after flight. One of these contributing factors - response to carbon dioxide exposure - was recently documented to be affected by the same one-carbon pathway genetics. This line of research may help identify which astronauts are at risk of these ophthalmic changes, and allow targeted ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Dec 4, 2019·Current Opinion in Neurology·Peter WojcikAndrew G Lee
Jan 18, 2021·Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews·K E HupfeldR D Seidler
Jun 10, 2021·Human Brain Mapping·Heather R McGregorRachael D Seidler
Aug 26, 2021·Physiology·Scott M Smith, Sara R Zwart
Sep 11, 2021·Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance·Marian B SidesSara R Zwart
Oct 16, 2021·NPJ Microgravity·Giovanni TaibbiPatricia Parsons-Wingerter

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