NASA Signs Agreement to Develop Nasal Spray for Motion Sickness
HOUSTON
-- NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston and Epiomed Therapeutics Inc.
of Irvine, Calif., have signed an agreement to develop and
commercialize a NASA-crafted, fast-acting nasal spray to fight motion
sickness.
Under the Space Act Agreement, Epiomed will
formulate the drug, called intranasal scopolamine, or INSCOP. Astronauts
often experience motion sickness in space. As a result, NASA has
conducted extensive research into the causes and treatments for the
condition. Scopolamine is effective and can be administered as a tablet
or injected. With a precise dosage, the NASA spray formulation has been
shown to work faster and more reliably than the oral form.
"NASA and Epiomed will work closely together on further development of
INSCOP to optimize therapeutic efficiency for both acute and chronic
treatment of motion sickness which can be used by NASA, the Department
of Defense and world travelers on land, in the air and on the seas,"
said Lakshmi Putcha, developer of the innovative treatment strategy at
Johnson.
A gel formulation of INSCOP was developed and tested
under a Space Act Agreement between Johnson and the Naval Aerospace
Medical Research Laboratory in Pensacola, Fla. Results from that trial
were published in the journal Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine
in April 2010 that suggest INSCOP is a fast-acting and reliable way to
prevent and treat motion sickness.
The U.S. Navy is working
on an agreement with Epiomed to test the nasal spray. NASA and Epiomed
will collaborate on clinical trials related to the Federal Drug
Administration requirements. NASA is transferring sponsorship of future
clinical trials and FDA approvals to Epiomed, which will supply the
product for use by NASA and others.
For more about Johnson's Human Health and Performance Directorate, which developed INSCOP, visit:
For more on NASA and agency programs, visit:
Human Health Benefits
General Health/ Dietary Guidelines: Fish (intake) and Bone Loss
Data from the International Space Station has documented a relationship
between fish intake and bone loss in astronauts (that is, those that
ate more fish lost less bone). Related findings have also been shown in
two sets of ground-based space flight simulation studies evaluating the
role of omega-3 fatty acids, the fatty acid found in fish. In a bed rest
study, the rate of bone breakdown was related to omega-3 fatty acid
intake (again, more omega 3, less bone breakdown). In a series of cell
culture studies, cells that break down bone were less active when
omega-3 fatty acids were added. While more detailed studies in flight
are required, this has broad implications for all Americans, especially
in light of osteoporosis and other bone diseases, which affect millions
of people. This research was provided by Scott Smith.
General Health/ Dietary Guidelines: Vitamin D Requirements: From the ISS to Antarctica to North America
NASA Human Research Program has provided research to define vitamin D
requirements for spaceflight contributed to the new dietary
recommendations of vitamin D for North Americans. Because spacecraft
shields astronauts from ultraviolet light, and the space food system is
low in vitamin D, it has been determined crews need extra vitamin D to
maintain health. To better understand the vitamin D requirement in this
unique environment, NASA, in collaboration with the National Science
Foundation, conducted two vitamin D supplementation studies in people
wintering in Antarctica, when sunlight is limited for an average of six
months. Published study results were featured in the 2011 re-evaluation
of vitamin D requirements for North America by the Institute of
Medicine. The Antarctic studies also characterized that body mass index
can affect vitamin D status and response to vitamin D intake.
Specifically, it was found that people with a higher body mass index
require more vitamin D in order to achieve the same blood concentration
of vitamin D as someone with a lower body mass index. These results have
significant importance for the general population, where more than 1/3
of Americans are obese. This research was provided by Scott Smith.
Water Purification: Filtering Apparatus and Method of Use (Patent #7935259)
This water filtering innovation is used to eliminate contaminants from
water supplies. Originally designed for purification of wastewater for
reuse aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the technology can
be used in numerous situations on Earth to obtain potable, medical-grade
water from contaminated supplies. The unique aspect of the technology
is its use of acoustics rather than pressure to drive water through the
filtration system. The filter is made of small-diameter carbon nanotubes
embedded within plastic or metallic assemblies. The small diameter of
the nanotubes allows only water molecules to pass through, leaving
behind any larger molecules and contaminants. The invention also may be
used to remove water from chemical compounds, such as removing water
from alcohols. The device requires less power than conventional
filtration systems and is well-suited to a variety of water purification
needs. The innovation is:
- Effective: Produces clean water by eliminating contaminants
- Efficient: Requires less power than conventional filtration systems, enabling remote operation and solar power options
- Easy to clean: Features non-clogging technology
- Flexible: Does not depend on gravity for water to flow through the system
- Scalable: Allows for use of a single filter or a large bank of integrated filters, depending on filtration needs
- Affordable: May be assembled using low-cost, non-degrading, easily obtained materials
- Straightforward: Facilitates automated production of all filter components
- Widely applicable: Suits applications for a variety of water processing needs, ranging from industrial to consumer applications
Although the technology is currently under development, once fully
developed it could enable recycling of water on the ISS and other
spacecraft. On the ISS, alcohol and impurities in onboard water systems
shorten the life of sorbent beds and negatively affect microscale
machinery. Current methods of dealing with these contaminants are not
completely efficient and result in equipment degradation and failure
over time. For instance, the current method of dealing with alcohol in
the water on the ISS is catalytic in nature and yields hazardous
byproducts such as formaldehyde. The ISS regularly dumps unusable water,
necessitating that tons of water be flown there every year to replenish
the supply. A system that could separate alcohol from the water, making
it suitable for reuse aboard the ISS, would save NASA millions of
dollars. As NASA plans for human exploration of Mars, a host of
technologies will be needed to protect travelers from the hazards of
deep space. This innovation could offer significant benefits for water
purification applications and contribute to NASA’s efforts to develop
breakthrough technologies that enable deep space exploration.
Non-Aerospace Commercialization Uses: The potential benefits of this
technology are applicable for a raft of Earth-based water processing
needs. End-users could include both industrial and municipal entities
that plan to reuse recycled water, desalinate brackish or sea water, or
treat surface or ground water for potable use. In addition, the
technology could be incorporated into portable or handheld water
filtration units, suitable for use in remote locations. This research is
provided by Lillian Gavalas.
NASA
Guillermo Gonzalo Sánchez Achutegui
ayabaca@gmail.com
ayabaca@hotmail.com
ayabaca@yahoo.com
