Gianluca Tosini, Ph.D.
Professor, Neuroscience Institute
Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology
Morehouse School of Medicine
Ph.D., University of Bristol ( UK)
Post-Doctoral, University of Bristol ( UK)
Post-Doctoral, University of Virginia ( U.S.A.)
E-mail: g tosini@msm.edu
Office Phone: (404) 752-5214
Department: (404) 752-1560
Fax: (404) 752-1041

Research Interests

Preventing Desynchronization of the Circadian System in Long-Term Space Flight. Supported by: NASA Cooperative Agreement NCC 9-58 with the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (Project HPF00407)

Many biochemical, physiological and behavioral parameters exhibited by organisms show daily fluctuations and most of these daily rhythms persist in constant conditions, thus, demonstrating that they are driven by endogenous oscillators. The rhythms that persist in constant conditions with a period close to 24 hours are called circadian rhythms. One the most important aspects of space flight is the absence of geophysical 24-h cycles, which, of course, affects the overall temporal organization of the organisms. In the case of long-duration manned space flight, it is crucial to understand how the whole circadian system would react and behave in such circumstances.

Our previous work has demonstrated that the overall circadian organization is affected by the long-term exposure to constant conditions. We discovered that in 20-30 % of rats exposed to constant dim light (1 m W/cm 2 ) for 60 days desynchronization among circadian rhythms might occur. Internal desynchronization has profound effects on the capability of the organisms to perform (mentally and physically) and to remain healthy.

The aim of our research is to investigate the physiological consequences of internal desynchronization and to test specific countermeasures (melatonin and light) to obviate internal desynchronization.

Relevant Publications:

Fukuhara, C., Aguzzi, J., Bullock, M.N., Tosini G. Effect of Long-Term Exposure to Constant Dim Light on the Circadian System of Rats. Neurosignals (in press).

Tosini, G., Aguzzi J. Effects of Space Flight on Circadian Rhythms. In: Advances in Space Biology and Medicine (Ed. G. Sonnenfeld), Elsevier (in press).

Sakamoto, K., Liu, C., Tosini, G. Circadian Rhythms in the retina of rats with photoreceptor degeneration. J. of Neurochemistry 2004; 90: 1019-1024.