Rat Behavioral and Metabolic Responses to Simulated Spaceflight Conditions

344 male Fischer rats were subjected to photon irradiation and simulated microgravity via hindlimb unloading. Plasma metabolite data from 101 measures and behavioral data from 13 measures were collected 2 and 9 months post-exposure to assess cognitive and metabolic changes. The dataset was published by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and last updated in March 2026.

Use Cases

• Identify plasma metabolite biomarkers for behavioral changes based on the 101 measured metabolites.
• Model the relationship between radiation dose and anxiety measures based on elevated plus maze data.
• Analyze the impact of simulated microgravity on activity levels based on open field assay results.
• Investigate metabolic pathway alterations, such as phenylalanine and tyrosine metabolism, following combined radiation and unloading stress.

Strengths

• Includes data from 344 subjects, providing a substantial sample size for analysis.
• Combines multiple data types: behavioral assays (open field, elevated plus maze) and plasma metabolomics (101 metabolites).
• Experimental design tests multiple radiation doses (3, 8, 10 Gy) and the presence/absence of hindlimb unloading.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data is limited to a single species (male Fischer rats) and sex, which may affect generalizability.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Controlled laboratory experiment with rats subjected to irradiation and hindlimb unloading, followed by behavioral testing and plasma metabolite analysis.

Time Range

Data collection occurred at 2 months and 9 months post-exposure.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 20:09:49.550661; freshness should be verified

Geography

Laboratory study; geographic coverage is not specified.