FIGURE 7.

Potential mechanisms of DS in ameliorating the neurocognitive dysfunction induced by simulated long-duration spaceflight in rats. The effects of SLSE were indicated in blue, and those of DS were indicated in red. DS regulated neurotransmitter content changed by simulated long-duration spaceflight. Neurotransmitters mediate intracellular signaling transduction systems through receptors, thus regulate learning and memory. By activating the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathways and increasing CREB phosphorylation and expression of BDNF, DS promoted the plasticity-related proteins expression. By inhibiting the phosphorylation level of JNK and p38, DS inhibited neuronal apoptosis. DS ameliorate neurocognitive functional impairment induced by simulated long-duration spaceflight.