机构:[1]Beihang Univ, Sch Biol Sci & Med Engn, Beijing, Peoples R China[2]China Astronaut Res & Training Ctr, State Key Lab Space Med, 26 Beiqing Rd, Beijing 100094, Peoples R China航天员中心[3]Capital Med Univ, Beijing Friendship Hosp, Dept Radiol, 95 Yongan Rd, Beijing 100050, Peoples R China首都医科大学附属北京友谊医院[4]Peoples Liberat Army Gen Hosp, Dept Internal Med, Northern Beijing Med Dist, Beijing, Peoples R China[5]Capital Med Univ, Beijing Tongren Hosp, Beijing Tongren Eye Ctr, Beijing, Peoples R China首都医科大学附属北京同仁医院首都医科大学附属同仁医院[6]Capital Med Univ, Beijing Friendship Hosp, Dept Ultrasound, Beijing, Peoples R China首都医科大学附属北京友谊医院[7]Chinese Acad Sci, Natl Space Sci Ctr, Beijing, Peoples R China[8]Chinese Acad Med Sci, Shenzhen Ctr, Canc Hosp, Shenzhen, Peoples R China
Background: The microgravity-induced cephalad fluid shift is thought to contribute to neuroophthalmological changes such as optic disc edema, globe flattening, and hyperopic shift. However, the effects of prolonged simulated microgravity on ophthalmic alterations and their potential relationship with functional reorganization in the visual cortex remain unclear. This study aimed to address these knowledge gaps. Methods: A total of 36 participants underwent a 90-day-6 degrees head-down tilt bed rest (HDTBR), a well-established ground-based model for simulating microgravity. Ophthalmic and neuroimaging assessments were performed at three time points: baseline, 1-3 days post-HDTBR, and after a 28-day recovery period. The evaluations included visual function tests such as near visual acuity (NVA), distance visual acuity, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity, and stereopsis, along with ocular blood flow (OBF) measurements using three-dimensional pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (3D-pcASL) and functional connectivity (FC) analysis of the visual cortex via functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Results: OBF, NVA, and BCVA exhibited a consistent and significant decrease following 90-day HDTBR (all P<0.05). Meanwhile, FC within the primary visual cortex (V1) and the left parietal area F, part M (PFm), as well as between V1 and the visual area 3 (V3), showed a significant increase (voxel level P<0.001, cluster level P<0.025, false discovery rate corrected). Additionally, changes in OBF were positively correlated with alterations in BCVA (r=0.3981, P=0.0162), whereas increased FC between V1 and V3 was associated with a decline in BCVA (r=-0.3394, P=0.0429). Notably, our findings suggest that more than 1 month of recovery may be required to fully counteract these ocular and neural adaptations. Conclusions: OBF may be a key risk factor for decreased visual acuity in stimulated microgravity, potentially driving functional network reorganization of the visual cortex by modifying visual function. These insights contribute to a new insight for ophthalmic health risks associated with human spaceflight.
基金:
the Space Medical Experiment Project of China Manned Space Program (No. HYZHXMH01005), China Manned Space Advanced Research Project (Earth-Star II-0038), Beijing Hospitals Authority Innovation Studio of Young Staff Funding Support (No. 202302) and Beijing Scholar 2015 (to Z.W.).
第一作者机构:[1]Beihang Univ, Sch Biol Sci & Med Engn, Beijing, Peoples R China
共同第一作者:
推荐引用方式(GB/T 7714):
Cai Linkun,Lv Ke,Niu Haijun,et al.Ophthalmic changes are associated with visual cortex functional network reorganization after 90-day head-down tilt bed rest[J].QUANTITATIVE IMAGING IN MEDICINE AND SURGERY.2025,15(7):6360-6371.doi:10.21037/qims-24-1989.
APA:
Cai, Linkun,Lv, Ke,Niu, Haijun,Ren, Pengling,Li, Hongmei...&Wang, Zhenchang.(2025).Ophthalmic changes are associated with visual cortex functional network reorganization after 90-day head-down tilt bed rest.QUANTITATIVE IMAGING IN MEDICINE AND SURGERY,15,(7)
MLA:
Cai, Linkun,et al."Ophthalmic changes are associated with visual cortex functional network reorganization after 90-day head-down tilt bed rest".QUANTITATIVE IMAGING IN MEDICINE AND SURGERY 15..7(2025):6360-6371