Cosmic radiation may leave astronauts with long-term cases of 'space brain,' study says

Scientists studying the effects of radiation in rodents say that astronauts' exposure to galactic cosmic rays could face a host of cognitive problems, including chronic dementia. The UC Irvine-led study, published in Scientific Reports, adds to a growing body of research on the harmful effects humans may reckon with as they venture out longer and deeper into space, whether on trips to Mars or potentially beyond. "The most logical conclusion to draw from these studies is that cosmic radiation exposure poses a real and potentially detrimental neurocognitive risk for prolonged deep space travel," the study authors wrote. "With the growing realization that space is a radioactive environment comes the need to more completely define these risks with more certainty through continued research." It's well-known that radiation can damage neural tissue and hurt cognitive function; cancer patients with brain tumors who need radiotherapy end up with what the study authors called "severe and progressive cognitive deficits."