(Best Syndication News) - A recent animal study suggests that cosmic radiation could speed up the onset of Alzheimer’s disease in astronauts traveling on deep space missions. The scientists published their findings in the journal PLOS ONE.
Senior study author, M. Kerry O’Banion, M.D., Ph.D., a professor in the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, explained the cancer health risk factor due to radiation exposure in space has already been acknowledged. However, their researchers wanted to see if there was a risk for developing cognitive problems from the radiation exposure, which could lead to an accelerated onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
The Earth’s magnetic field provides protection from much of the radiation, but when astronauts travel into space they exposed to a variety of radioactive particles.