Adaptation to Space Flight4 24 04

Adaptation to Space Flight: 

Adaptation to Space Flight Richard P. Brown, MD Associate Professor of Psychiatry Columbia University

Stressors of Space Flight: 

Stressors of Space Flight Physical – lift off, microgravity, disorientation, space walks, strenuous work Psychological – danger, confinement, mental fatigue, long hours, tedious work, crises Social/Interpersonal – conflicts, misunderstandings, cultural and language differences Radiation Changes in atmosphere

Effects of Stressors: 

Effects of Stressors Anxiety, Depression Insomnia Irritability, interpersonal aggression Poor judgment Impaired attention and cognitive functions Physical symptoms eg. cardiac arrhythmia

Stress Response System: 

Stress Response System Sympathetic Nervous System – Epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine  heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, energy expenditure, oxidative damage, prepare for fight or flight Balanced by the Parasympathetic Nervous System -  heart rate, respirations, energy expenditure, calms brain, restore and repair Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA)

Rhodiola rosea and Adaptogens: 

Rhodiola rosea and Adaptogens Rhodiola rosea root extract – high altitudes Caucuses, Siberia, Scandinavia Long history – tonic,  energy, endurance for physical stress, cold, high altitudes, low oxygen, to treat infections, maintain memory in old age, fertility 40 years scientific studies (classified Soviet Research) for physical and mental performance under stress. Tested in military, Olympic athletes, cosmonauts (on Mir 1994 Polyokov), students and scientists intellectual performance

Benefits of R. rosea and Adaptogen Formula: 

Benefits of R. rosea and Adaptogen Formula Studies demonstrate increase in physical performance, endurance, accuracy Enhance intellectual performance under stress over long periods of time (12 hr and 24 hr tests) Improve accuracy, reduce errors in tracking and calculations, visualmotor,  eye strain Improve morale, attitude, motivation, emotional stability under stress Reduce irritability, frustration, anger tolerance high altitude, disorientation in space

Mechanisms of Adaptogen Effects: 

Mechanisms of Adaptogen Effects  cellular energy production in mitochondria  antioxidant Protect against damage from stressors: physical (heat, cold), hypoxia (lack of oxygen or loss of blood supply), chemical (toxins, other medications), infection, radiation, psychological  cellular repair  parasympathetic tone

Adaptogens and Yogic Breathing: 

Adaptogens and Yogic Breathing Reduce Stress &  stress resistance  fatigue &  energy Improve physical performance Improve mental performance Enhance social adaptation Reduce anxiety, depression and aggression Produce a Calm, Clear, Alert Mental State

Mechanisms of Yogic Breathing Effects: 

Mechanisms of Yogic Breathing Effects  parasympathetic tone and output to Quiet cortex “worry centers” Limbic System - Release emotional stress Release oxytocin, vasopressin, prolactin “feel good, bonding, cuddle” and male protective hormones  energy expenditure  production free radicals Hypothalamus -  alertness, attention Balance different areas of the cortex  physical effects of stress on heart, muscle, gut

Slide12: 

Neurophysiological Model of Vagus Nerve Stimulation Pathways Anterior Limbic Cortex PRS – reward, satiety, pleasure Prolactin, Vasopressin Oxytocin - bonding _________________________________________________________________________________________________ NTS = nucleus tractus solitarius; PBN = parabrachial nucleus; MRS = mesolimbic reward system SMR = sensori-motor rhythm; PRS = post-reinforcement synchronization  Hypothalamus Amygdala Stria Terminalis Emotion & Memories reward & oxytocin receptors Pituitary Release Stimulation Hyperventilation Thalamic Nuclei Diffuse Cortical Areas Electronic Thalamic Generators Frontal – quiet,  worry Sudarshan Kriya (SKY) Parieto-occipital SMR – calm + relaxed  attention + vigilance Vagus Nerve  NTS  PBN  MRS Limbic Pathways

Sudarshan Kriya Yoga: 

Sudarshan Kriya Yoga Ujjayi Breathing Bhastrika Sudarshan Kriya Chanting Meditation

Ujjayi Breathing: 

Ujjayi Breathing Vagal stimulation Enhances parasympathetic system Slow breathing rate 4/minute High volume avoids hypercapnia/hypocapnia

Ujjayi Breathing: 

Ujjayi Breathing Although Ujjayi has not been studied in depth, “strained breathing” has in animals Comes from hypothalamic vigilance area Recharges animal for later fight or flight Enhances attention and reflexes Occurs when animal has surrendered but may be attacked

Bhastrika: 

Bhastrika Activates parieto-temporo-occiptal cortex On EEG  wicket 12-17 hz sinusoidal 26-33 hz paroxysmal Sympathetic stimulation Integration of multiple areas Subjectively stimulating

Chanting: 

Chanting Balances and enhances parasympathetic and sympathetic Synchronizes breath/heart/brain flow cycles with medullary blood pressure cycle Activates thalamus (internal attention)

Slow Breathing during Ujjayi, Chanting or Meditation: 

Slow Breathing during Ujjayi, Chanting or Meditation Enhances control of vagus nerve Enhances baroreflex sensitivity Decreases chemoreflex sensitivity An “autonomic exercise” to enhance parasympathetic/sympathetic range and control

The effects of hyperventilation require an intact thalamus and vagal afferents to the brain.: 

The effects of hyperventilation require an intact thalamus and vagal afferents to the brain.

Vagal Nerve Stimulation: 

Vagal Nerve Stimulation Vagal Nerve Stimulation (left only) is used: treat epilepsy experimental treatment depression

Effects of Hyperventilation: 

Effects of Hyperventilation Increases cardiac and renal output At modest levels does not reduce brain metabolism or blood flow Induces slow waves on EEG Activates the thalamus (through the vagus) Increases cortical excitability Activates the limbic system

Sensori-motor Rhythm (SMR): 

Sensori-motor Rhythm (SMR) Similar to sleep spindles Absent movement, reduced muscle tone In humans, reduced eye movement Resistance to seizures Input from ventrobasal thalamus to sensorimotor area

Post-Reinforcement Synchronization (PRS): 

Post-Reinforcement Synchronization (PRS) Occurs with reward “Edge of sleep” state (preverbal imagery) From other areas of thalamus (to cortex) Oscillates with SMR  resets system for next challenge

Possible Effects of Sudarshan Kriya: 

Possible Effects of Sudarshan Kriya Activates the thalamus Alternate or simultaneous: activates SMR and PRS Shuts down frontal executive functions Rebalance relationships between brain areas: R and L cerebral hemispheres; anterior and posterior; top to bottom Releases stress hormones gently to calm stress response system Releases pituitary hormones: enhance mood and social harmony

Oxytocin: 

Oxytocin “cuddle hormone” Released in bonding behaviors, delivery, sexual activity Low in depression Stimulated by SSRIs Parasympathetic enhancement

Antidepressant Effect: HRSD : 

Antidepressant Effect: HRSD

Trials Summary of SKY in Consenting Depressives (NIMHANS Research): 

Trials Summary of SKY in Consenting Depressives (NIMHANS Research) Significant therapeutic effects in Dysthymia and Melancholia Normalised sleep pattern (REM Latency & NREM states) Corrected cerebral physiology (P3 amplitude) Effect independent of pre-treatment dysfunction (P3 amplitude) Prolactin response to SKY similar to ECT Significant reduction in plasma cortisol (day 23) No clinically detectable side-effects Few contraindications (except in epileptics, bipolar disorder, pregnancy)

Yoga Breathing Uses : 

Yoga Breathing Uses Enhance Well-Being Stress Resilience/Stress Release Memory, learning, cognition, attention Physical Strength and Endurance Depression, Anxiety, Irritability Cardiac Function  Energy,  Fatigue  Interpersonal Conflict,  Bonding (team)