QUESTION:
As a paraplegic, I have wondered what the effects of microgravity might be
on the natural effort by the body to repair the CNS, especially
the Spinal Cord. Have any research procedures been planned with that in
mind (I believe that the Embryonic growth of CNS fibers may be effected by
micro-gravity, in the sub-cellular, i.e genetic, condition) Also, has NASA
considered the position of the physically disabled in space. Paraplegics
suffer, on a day to day basis, the effects of lousy circulation; a
weakened skeletal structure and disturbance of the immune system (amongst
others) and learn how to survive these effects with ease. If NASA could
put a paraplegic in an environment absent from gravity for an
extended period of time, and observe the physical changes within the
paralysed body - something very rewarding may be learned. Any interest in
putting somebody like myself into such an environment?

ANSWER from Louis Ostrach on November 19, l997
In fact, the Adult Neuronal Plasticity Team is studying how the central
nervous system responds to the novel environment of microgravity by
altering the connections and functions of various groups of nerve cells.
They will also study the re-adaptation of the brain when the animals
return to the one-g of Earth upon recovery of the shuttle experiment.
Similarly, the cricket experiment, Dr. Eberhard Horn of Germany, is
studying the regeneration of specific sensory nerves in micro-gravity and
in 1-g control specimens. NASA is indeed very interested in the basic
science of nerve regeneration and the potential for applied benefits. Your
suggestion about flying a paraplegic astronaut is intriguing and poses
many interesting questions and possibilities for research. I'm not aware,
however, of any definite plans to follow through on this suggestion.