1. Prior Areas of NIA-Supported Space-Related Health Research NIA and NASA have collaborated on numerous research activities since 1989. NIH representative and former chair, NASA Life and Microgravity Sciences and Applications Advisory Committee Co-chair of NASA/NIH Collaborations Committee with Director, National Institute of Deafness and Other Communications Disorders Joint sponsor of workshops focusing on the aging process and changes induced by space NEUROLAB - Trans-NIH Research Initiative - Exercise Guide Presenter: Dr. Richard Hodes, Director Agency/Organization: National Institute on Aging - NIH National Institute on Aging

2. NEUROLAB Used the Spacelab module to conduct integrated neuroscience and behavioral researchUsed the Spacelab module to conduct integrated neuroscience and behavioral research Project included national and international partnersProject included national and international partners –Several NIH institutes –Other federal agencies –International agencies Launch Date: October 29, 1998 Crew: 7 Duration: 9 days National Institute on Aging Prior Areas of NIA-Supported Space-Related Health Research

3. NEUROLAB cont. Medical research included battery of tests on how the absence of gravity affects: –Balance and perception –Immune system response –Bone and muscle density –Metabolism and blood flow –Sleep National Institute on Aging Prior Areas of NIA-Supported Space-Related Health Research

4. Trans-NIH Research Initiative (PA-AG00-088): “Earth-Based Research Related to Space Environment” NIA-supported research: Study to characterize the normal degradation in balance control using the Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging cohort Study of enzyme serotonin-N-acetyltransferase, regulation of melatonin, and basic sleep pattern Study of interstitial fluid flow and bone remodeling National Institute on Aging Prior Areas of NIA-Supported Space-Related Health Research

5. An NIA-NASA Collaboration Exercise: A Guide from the National Institute on Aging NASA provided funds to print additional copies of the guide and both agencies have posted the guide on their home pages Currently available on NIA and NASA Web sites http://weboflife.arc.nasa.gov http://www.nih.gov/nia/healt h/pubs/nasa-exercise E xe r c i s e : A G u i d e f rom t h e N a t i o n a l I n s t i t u t e o n A g i n g National Institute on Aging

6. Promising Areas for NIA Space-Related Health Research Collaborations Space vs. Ground-Based Research in Aging Bone and Muscle Loss  Age- and space-related bone loss seem to have some similar causes: reduced loads due to reduced physical activity or lack of gravitational forces, hormonal changes, and reduced calcium absorption by the intestines. Sleep and Circadian Rhythms  Aging often results in disrupted sleep patterns. On the orbiting space station, a new sunrise occurs with each 90-minute orbit. National Institute on Aging

7. NIA Resources to Facilitate Potential Space-Related Health Research NIA cohorts such as the Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging NIA murine models of aging National Institute on Aging