Biopsychological, Genetic, and Epigenetic Impacts of Extreme Environments in Analog Astronautics & Advancing ISPS-VETA Virtual Space Psychiatry for Remote Care

The research proposal investigates participants' biopsychological, genetic, and epigenetic consequences during deployment training to remote, isolated, confined extreme environments (I.C.E) that follow analog astronautic missions. Researchers will study up to 12- 24 subjects (called analog astronauts)in the new investigation, which uses advanced biotechnology and real-time, continuous monitoring systems for mental health conditions to understand how I.C.E. stressors affect human biology, physiology, and cognition—a condition that may be experienced by astronauts in low earth orbit on the International Space Station (I.S.S) and future long-duration deep-space missions. These major stressors include hyperbaric pressure, high-altitude hypoxia, and extreme thermal environments. The study will be implemented in three phases. It will support the development and feasibility of a novel technology platform called the Integrated Space Psychiatry System – Virtual Embodiment Tele-Psychologist-Psychiatrist AI Avatar (ISPS-VETA) system. It will be used to offer continuous monitoring of biopsychological parameters and biometrics of the subjects and provide real-time mental health support, including therapeutic interventions. Utilizing and deploying the Mars-Moon Astronautics Academy and Research Sciences (MMAARS) mobile and portable analog habitat in the Mojave Desert in California, Phase 1 is a low-fidelity desert environment simulation of isolation and extreme temperatures. Phase 2 simulates weightlessness conditions in the Jules Undersea habitat of the Florida Keys, and/or the PECA Interstellar “Underwater” Lab. These I.C.E. settings recreate hyperbaric stress on the astronaut. For Phase 3, the field test will simulate high-altitude hypoxia. It will utilize a remote LUNAR habitat located at ambient pressure at 8000 ft in altitude on volcanic Mauna Loa or missions to 15,000ft at Amadablam Basecamp in Nepal, Himalayas, to introduce cognitive and mission motivators applicable to both space flight and undersea missions (Jewell, S. et al., 2017, 2019). The study will use biopsychological, genomic, and epigenomic measures to determine their effects on cognitive performance, emotional regulation, and physiological resilience. Blood and saliva samples will be obtained for DNA methylation and gene expression changes related to stress and immune response. We will use Polaris Genomics and Mindx genetic analysis platforms to perform and collect biological samples during the missions. The broader impacts of this research extend beyond space exploration (Nezami et al, 2022) with applications in isolated, confined, and extreme (I.C.E.) environments on Earth, such as polar stations, submarines, and remote healthcare settings. Additionally, the findings may inform mental health care interventions for vulnerable populations like refugees, disaster relief workers, and victims of PTSD. Ultimately, the research offers valuable insights into space medicine and healthcare delivery in confined and extreme conditions on Earth. (Jewell, S. et al., 2024).