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Caffeine Mitigates Human Brain Cell Aging: Implications for Deep Space Exploration

JSHS · 2025

Elaine Lu, Xiaohong Lu · Caddo Magnet High School, Shreveport, LA

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Overview

NASA is preparing lengthy missions to the Moon and Mars. There is an urgent need for safe and effective countermeasures to protect space flight crew members for deep space missions. Epidemiological studies suggested that coffee consumption is associated with increased longevity, radioprotection, and neuroprotection against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson ’s diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects remain largely unknown. I hypothesize that deep space radiation can induce persistent DNA damage, leading to cell senescence and brain aging. Countermeasures targeting genotoxic stress, such as caffeine, can mitigate the risk. Using a genetic sensor of genomic instability, I have shown a robust increase of genomic instability, the foremost hallmark of aging, in mouse brains exposed to Moon and Mars mission -relevant doses of ground -simulated Galac tic Cosmic Radiation (GCR). The first -ever brain map of genotoxic instability in mice was generated using light sheet microscopy volume imaging in cleared whole brains and mapped to Allen Brain Atlas. To search for countermeasures, I discovered that chronic exposure to radiation mimics and induces double-strand DNA breaks, ATM phosphorylation, and cell senescence in human -induced pluripotent cells differentiated neurons. Additionally, ATM inhibitors such as caffeine effectively reduced cell senescence via r estoring autophagy and a Parkinson’s disease -related protein. This research presents a novel approach for safely and effectively shielding human brains from ionizing radiation during NASA’s deep space missions while also potentially contributing to treatme nts for abnormal aging and neurodegenerative disorders.

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Competition history

  • JSHS 2025 Category not listed

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Source: Junior Science and Humanities Symposium

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