SKIN SURFACE COOLING TO IMPROVE ORTHOSTATIC TOLERANCE AFTER PROLONGED BED REST

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Orthostatic intolerance is a common occurence following space flight, following prolonged bed rest, and in over 500,000 Americans who suffer from idiopathic orthostatic intolerance. With respect to space flight, 25-66% of all astronauts experience syncope or syncopal symptoms during a stand test 2-3 hours after landing. In addition, many astronauts experience orthostatic hypotension/intolerance during reentry of the space shuttle when gravitational forces are greater than 1.0 Gz (i.e. head to foot vector) for 10-15 min, and peak as high as 1.8 Gz. This high incidence of orthostatic intolerance is of substantial concern to NASA due to obvious operational and safety issues for the astronauts. Thus, NASA has placed a high priority on identifying an effective countermeasure to reduce the incidence of orthostatic intolerance associated with prolonged microgravity exposure. Identification of such a countermeasure may also benefit individuals with idiopathic orthostatic intolerance.