EARLY DETECTION OF OSTEOPROSIS IN SPACE (EDOS)
Research Area: Bone and Muscle Physiology
Expedition(s): 15-22, 29-ongoing
Principal Investigator(s): ● Christian Alexandre, MD, University of St-Etienne,
St-Etienne, France
● L. Braak, University of St-Etienne, St-Etienne, France
● Laurence Vico, PhD, University of St-Etienne,
St-Etienne, France
● Peter Ruegsegger, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology,
Zürich, Switzerland
● Martina Heer, PhD, German Aerospace Center,
Cologne, Germany
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The Early Detection of Osteoporosis in Space (EDOS) experiment is testing the skeletal
adaptation to long-term space exposure by 3-dimensional peripheral quantitative computed
tomography (3DpQCT) as a technique for detection of bone structure. Its goal is to provide a
detailed evaluation of the bone loss and kinetics of recovery after flight.
EARTH BENEFITS
With crew members exhibiting bone loss similar to
osteoporosis in space, ie, about 1% loss per month in space,
this research should significantly contribute to the
development of a reference technique to perform an early
detection of osteoporosis on Earth. These improved
diagnostics in the early stages of such a medical condition may
prove extremely important in development of more effective
countermeasures to the effects of osteoporosis. The 3DpQCT
scanner used in EDOS, which the European Space Agency
supported the development of for a non-invasive/in vivo
technique for bone structure observation, has already been
commercialized successfully.SPACE BENEFITS
The EDOS project helps to assess the efficiency of countermeasures, developed through ESA
research and research from other organizations, to the bone loss crew members experienced
on long-duration space missions such as to the International Space Station. This will assist in the
optimal planning of long-duration missions with respect to pharmacological, dietary, or
exercise-based protocols in order to alleviate such adverse effects and hence improve/maintain
the health and performance of crew members in orbit. This data could also feed into the
development of numerical bone models for crew members that could assist in the optimal
planning for future longer-duration human exploration missions.
This investigation is ongoing, and additional results are pending publication.
Xtreme CT distal radius. Image
provided courtesy of SCANCO
Medical. ESA image.