April 14, 2000

When astronauts go on long-term missions in space, how are their health care needs met? Scientists and doctors have learned that there are many ailments, such as bone density loss and kidney stones, which are caused by space travel. In addition, there are countless other health problems, such as infections, that can arise during a shuttle flight. However, much remains to be learned about advanced medical techniques that will work within the confines of a shuttle or on a space station, especially when there may not be any doctors on board and when there is limited room for medical equipment. An MGH scientist recently was chosen to lead research to find how medicine should be practiced on long-term space missions, such as a three-year trip to Mars.

Jeffrey Sutton, MD, PhD, director of the MGH Neural Systems Group, was chosen by the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) to serve as the provisional team leader of the Smart Medical Systems team, working to solve problems with the practice of medicine during space flight. Other members of the MGH Neural Systems Group, which currently develops computer models of the brain and applies them to imaging studies of brain function, will help with research for the project. They will focus on patient monitoring systems, novel methods of diagnosis and treatment and health care maintenance.

"Our group will look at many aspects of care — including manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, imaging systems, monitoring of physical changes and even doing noninvasive surgery — making health care feasible for very long missions in space," says Sutton. "These visionary medical techniques won't just benefit the astronauts. They eventually could be used here on earth to treat patients and address some of today's health care problems."

For more information, visit the NSBRI website at www.nsbri.org.