Spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome: potential etiologies and connections to the glymphatic system.

Abstract

The etiology of spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) is a developing field of research, with many current hypotheses receiving varying degrees of support. In this article, three prominent risk factors including zero gravity conditions, extraterrestrial hypercapnic environments, and individual genetic predisposition are described and their pathophysiological pathways are compared. In addition, glymphatic system impairment is explored as a potential mutual endpoint for these pathways in the development of SANS.