Request for Information (RFI) on Topics in Human Health Countermeasures, Human Factors, and Behavioral Performance

Background A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample sharing opportunity will occur with the implementation of an experiment entitled “Invasive and Noninvasive Intracranial Pressure (ICP) Monitoring and Vision Impairment Intracranial Pressure (VIIP) Biomarker Identification” (co-principal investigators M. A. Williams and S. Zanello) in astronauts before, during and after spaceflight of approximately six months duration on the International Space Station (ISS). The primary purpose of the study is to measure ICP by lumbar puncture (LP, spinal tap) six to nine months before flight and immediately thereafter on the first day of landing. Non-invasive estimations of ICP will be done in conjunction with the LPs as well as without LP on flight days 30 and 170, and 10 and 90 days after return to Earth, using the cerebral cochlear fluid pressure (CCFP) and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) techniques. A third non-invasive ICP estimation technique based on a combination of transcranial Doppler, electrocardiography signals and blood pressure waveforms will be conducted before and after flight. Other measures reflecting the fluid shift to the head induced by weightlessness will include internal jugular venous pressure by the VeinPresstechnique. The details of the study can be found at this link: https://taskbook.nasaprs.com/publication/index.cfm?action=public_query_taskbook_content&TAS KID=11543
As part of this study, blood, urine and CSF will be collected, for genomics via evaluation of exosomal ribonucleic acid (RNA), and for evaluation of folate and folate intermediaries. Of the CSF volume withdrawn, a total of one milliliter (ml) will be made available for additional analyses. If more than one proposal is selected, all proposers will have to share the one ml sample. Proposers should clearly indicate any specific preservation needs they have for the CSF sample, for example whether they require the CSF frozen or fresh, centrifuged or whole, or preserved with specific chemicals, as well as the type of tube required and any special processing or aliquoting that is needed.
The CSF samples will be collected from a total of 10 ISS crewmembers who sign up for Drs. Williams’ and Zanello’s study, which is anticipated to occur between the years 2019-2027. The current topic aims to understand omics and biochemical mechanisms reflected in the CSF that underlie the physiological and behavioral manifestations of long-duration spaceflight in humans, in particular for the following three risks: Risk of Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS), Risk of Impaired Control of Spacecraft/Associated Systems and Decreased Mobility Due to Vestibular/Sensorimotor Alterations Associated with Spaceflight, and Risk of Adverse Cognitive or Behavioral Conditions and Psychiatric Disorders. The goal of characterizing such mechanisms is to eventually enable development of more efficient countermeasures targeted towards individual s