EXPERIMENT INFORMATION
The purpose of this study is to understand bone loss and sustained bone loss after prolonged spaceflight using state-of-the-art 3D imaging methods (high resolution peripheral computed tomography, HR-pQCT) in combination with novel image analysis techniques. Bone health has been the subject of many space flight studies in the past but new 3D methods enable the adaptation of bone to spaceflight to be monitored at a much smaller scale than previously. HR-pQCT allows the clinical measurement of human 3D bone architecture at sufficient resolution to assess morphological parameters at a trabecular level. Past studies have demonstrated its precision, good correlations with various gold standard methodologies to quantify bone architecture, its modest but significant correlation of bone architecture and mechanical strength with other sites in the body and, when combined with finite element analysis (FEA), its strong ability to predict bone strength. The use of 3D image registration, developed at the University of Calgary, has been shown to improve the sensitivity of longitudinal studies for detecting bone loss and allows the tracking of individual trabeculae over time. Specific objectives include:
(1) To investigate bone loss patterns in subjects exposed to microgravity. This shall be accomplished by using new non-invasive longitudinal three-dimensional measures of high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) of bone structure in addition to standard analysis techniques of DXA and analysis of biomarkers for bone formation and resorption.
(2) To determine parameters that may identify individuals with heightened sensitivity to sustained bone loss / loss of bone strength using the micro-structural parameter outcomes such as bone volume ratio and trabecular thickness, and magnitude and rate of bone loss.
| Mission | Launch/Start Date | Landing/End Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expedition 46 | 12/11/2015 | 03/02/2016 | 82 days |
| Expedition 47 | 03/02/2016 | 06/18/2016 | 108 days |
| Expedition 48 | 06/18/2016 | 09/06/2016 | 80 days |
| Expedition 49 | 09/06/2016 | 10/30/2016 | 54 days |
| Expedition 50 | 10/28/2016 | 04/09/2017 | 164 days |
| Expedition 51 | 04/09/2017 | 06/02/2017 | 55 days |
| Expedition 52 | 06/02/2017 | 09/02/2017 | 92 days |
| Expedition 53 | 09/02/2017 | 12/14/2017 | 102 days |
| Expedition 54 | 12/14/2017 | 02/27/2018 | 75 days |
| Expedition 55 | 02/27/2018 | 06/03/2018 | 96 days |
| Expedition 56 | 06/03/2018 | 10/04/2018 | 123 days |
| Expedition 57 | 10/04/2018 | 12/20/2018 | 77 days |
| Expedition 58 | 12/18/2018 | 03/14/2019 | 85 days |
| Expedition 59 | 03/14/2019 | 06/24/2019 | 102 days |
Project Manager: Eric R. Gallagher