This is the first book to give a complete overview about neurophysiological research under conditions of variable gravity.

Self-organization and Pattern-formation in Neuronal Systems Under Conditions of Variable Gravity Life Sciences Under Space Conditions describes the interaction of gravity with neuronal systems.

The book is intended for scientists in the field of space research, neurophysiology,and those who are interested in the control of non-linear systems by small external forces.

Self-organization and Pattern-formation in Neuronal Systems Under Conditions of Variable Gravity Life Sciences Under Space Conditions describes the interaction of gravity with neuronal systems. To deliver the basic scientific and technological background, the s.tructures of neuronal systems are described and platforms for gravity research are presented. The book is rounded off by information about the interaction of chemical model systems with gravity and some simulations, and results about the interaction of gravity with neuronal systems from single molecules to the entire human brain are demonstrated. This is the first book to give a complete overview about neurophysiological research under conditions of variable gravity.

The book is intended for scientists in the field of space research, neurophysiology,and those who are interested in the control of non-linear systems by small external forces.

Chapter 1 Introduction

 1.1 Historical remarks

 1.1.1 Gravitational research

 1.2 Excitable media and their control by small external forces

 1.3 Waves and oscillations in biological systems

 1.4 Book layout

 References

Chapter 2 Gravity

 2.1 Physical remarks

 2.2 Perception of gravity by living systems

 References

Chapter 3 Basic Structure of Neuronal Systems

 References

Chapter 4 Platforms for Gravitational Research

 4.1 Microgravity platforms

 4.1.1 Short term platforms

 4.1.2 Long term platforms

 4.1.3 Magnetic levitation

 4.2 Removing orientation

 4.2.1 Clinostats

 4.2.2 Random positioning machine

 4.3 Macro-gravity platforms

 4.3.1 Centrifuge

 References

Chapter 5 A Model Systems for Gravity Research: The Belousov-Zhabotinsky Reaction

 5.1 Setup for the Belousov-Zhabotinsky experiments

 5.2 Preparation of gels for the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction

 5.3 Data evaluation

 References

Chapter 6 Interaction of Gravity with Molecules and Membranes

 6.1 Bilayer experiments

 6.1.1 Hardware for the Microba mission

 6.1.2 Hardware for the drop-tower

 6.1.3 Hardware for parabolic flights

 6.1.4 Hardware for laboratory centrifuge

 6.1.5 Experimental results

 6.2 Patch-clamp experiments

 6.2.1 Principles of patch-clamp experiments

 6.2.2 Hardware for the drop-tower

 6.2.3 First hardware for parabolic flights

 6.2.4 For the drop-tower

 6.2.5 First parabolic flight experiment

 6.2.6 Second hardware for parabolic flights

 6.2.7 Second parabolic flight experiment

 6.2.8 First results and future perspectives

 References

Chapter 7 Behavior of Action Potentials Under Variable Gravity Conditions

 7.1 Introductory remarks

 7.2 Materials and methods

 7.3 Isolated leech neuron experiments

 7.4 Earthworm and nerve fiber experiments (rats and worms)

 7.5 Discussion

 References

Chapter 8 Fluorescence and Light Scatter Experiments to Investigate Cell Properties at Microgravity

 8.1 Fluorescence measurements to determine calcium influx and membrane potential changes

 8.1.1 Intracellular calcium concentration experiments

 8.1.2 Membrane potential experiments

 8.2 Light scatter experiments to determine changes in cell size

 8.2.1 Static light scatter

 8.2.2 Dynamic light scatter

 References

Chapter 9 Spreading Depression: A Self-organized Excitation Depression Wave in Different Gravity Conditions

 9.1 The retinal spreading depression

 9.2 Gravity platforms used for retinal spreading depression experiments

 9.2.1 Methods

 9.2.2 Experiment setup and protocol for spreading depression experiments in parabolic flights

 9.2.3 Experiment setup and protocol for spreading depression experiments on TEXUS sounding rocket

 9.2.4 Setup and protocol for spreading depression experiments in the centrifuge

 9.2.5 Data analysis

 9.3 Results

 9.3.1 Spreading depression experiments in parabolic flights and in the centrifuge 

 9.3.2 Spreading depression experiments on sounding rockets and in the centrifuge 

 9.3.3 Determination of latency of spreading depression waves in the centrifuge 

 9.3.4 Summary of all spreading depression experiments on different gravity platforms 

 9.4 Discussion

 9.4.1 Comment on different gravity platforms

 References 

Chapter 10 The Brain Itself in Zero-g 

 10.1 Methods

 10.1.1 Slow cortical potentials (SCP)

 10.1.2 Classical frequency bands in EEG

 10.1.3 Peripheral psycho physiological parameters

 10.1.4 Protocol and data analysis

 10.1.5 Subjects

 10.1.6 Ethic

 10.2 Results

 10.2.1 Slow Cortical Potentials (SCP)

 10.2.2 Frequency band EEG

 10.2.3 Peripheral stress parameters

 10.3 Discussion

 10.3.1 Slow cortical potentials

 10.3.2 Frequency band EEG

 10.3.3 Peripheral parameters

 10.4 Conclusion

 References

Chapter 11 Effects of Altered Gravity on the Actin and Microtubule Cytoskeleton, Cell Migration and Neurite Outgrowth

 11.1 Summary

 11.2 Introductory remarks

 11.3 Material and methods

 11.3.1 Cell transfection

 11.3.2 Cell culture and experiments with SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells

 11.3.3 Cell migration experiments- Human carcinoma cell lines

 11.3.4 Scratch Migration Assay (SMA)

 11.3.5 Neurite outgrowth experiments-Primary cell culture of embryonic chicken spinal cord neurons

 11.3.6 Imunostaining of cells

 11.3.7 Staining of F-actin

 11.3.8 Microscopy and live imaging

 11.4 Results and discussion

 11.4.1 Effects of altered gravity on actin-driven lamellar protrusion of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells

 11.4.2 Effect of altered gravity on the microtubule cytoskeleton of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells 

 11.4.3 Effects of altered gravity on cell migration

 11.4.4 Effects of altered gravity on the intensity and direction of neurite outgrowth

 References

Chapter 12 Discussion and Perspectives

 References

Index