The Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH), a consortium that includes Baylor College of Medicine, MIT, and Caltech, is calling for proposals to measure intracranial pressure (ICP) in volunteer commercial space astronauts during spaceflights. This initiative addresses the suspected role of ICP fluctuations in microgravity contributing to Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS), a significant health concern for astronauts.
SANS was recognized as a risk in 2011, and solutions are necessary for future space missions. Dr. David Hilmers, a clinical advisor at TRISH, emphasized the importance of understanding SANS, saying, "We still do not have a complete understanding of the pathogenesis of SANS." He noted the risks of measuring ICP on long missions, suggesting that shorter private missions offer safer opportunities to gather needed data.
TRISH is looking for innovative ideas for direct real-time ICP measurement in space and non-invasive methods to estimate ICP, with the aim of developing protocols for longer missions. The selected projects will become part of TRISH’s EXPAND Program, which gathers flight-related health data from commercial spaceflights.
A private donor to the BCM Center for Space Medicine is also supporting this initiative. Dr. Rihana Bokhari, scientific research director at TRISH, stated, “TRISH is unique in that it leverages opportunities and best practices from the private, public, and academic space health sectors. We hope to make significant advances in finding the cause for SANS.”
Proposals are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on May 15, with a pre-proposal briefing available on April 10. TRISH, funded by NASA, is tasked with advancing human performance in spaceflight by integrating space health achievements for Astronauts and Earth.
