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Changes in Gastric Myoelectric Activity During Space Flight

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Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine postprandial myoelectric activity of the stomach and gastric activity associated with space motion sickness using electrogastrography. Three crewmembers participated in this investigation. Preflight, subjects exhibited normal postprandial responses to the ingestion of a meal. Inflight, crewmembers exhibited an abnormal decrease in the power of the normal gastric slow wave after eating on flight day 1, but had a normal postprandial response by flight day 3. Prior to and during episodes of nausea and vomiting, the electrical activity of the stomach became dysrhythmic with 60–80% of the spectral power in the bradygastric and tachygastric frequency ranges. These findings indicate that gastric motility may be decreased during the first few days of space flight. In addition, changes in the frequency of the gastric slow wave associated with space motion sickness symptoms are consistent with those reported for laboratory-induced motion sickness.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neurosciences Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, 77058, USA

    Deborah L. Harm

  2. Krug Life Sciences, Houston, s[Texas, 77058, USA

    Gwenn R. Sandoz

  3. Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, 16802, USA

    Robert M. Stern

Authors
  1. Deborah L. Harm
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  2. Gwenn R. Sandoz
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  3. Robert M. Stern
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Harm, D.L., Sandoz, G.R. & Stern, R.M. Changes in Gastric Myoelectric Activity During Space Flight. Dig Dis Sci 47, 1737–1745 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016480109272

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