Grants and Contributions:

Title:

Antarctica and the hibernating brain; The interaction between mental fatigue, hypoxia, exercise and sleep in an isolated, confined and extreme (ICE) environment

Agreement Number:

25HLSHANA6

Agreement Value:

$150,000.00

Agreement Date:

Jul 15, 2025 - Jul 15, 2028

Description:

Extended exposure to the isolated and extreme conditions at the Concordia station may induce mental fatigue, a state associated with mood disturbances, safety concerns, and work errors. The BREEZE-project aims to comprehensively evaluate mental fatigue, sleep, and physical fitness during an Antarctic overwintering campaign by tracking psychological, (neuro)physiological, and behavioral parameters. Assessments will include questionnaires on fatigue, sleepiness, coping strategies, and mood, as well as polysomnography, exercise heart rate, genotype analysis, arterial oxygen saturation, actigraphy, and activity diaries. The study will focus on interindividual differences and their stability over time. Additionally, two countermeasures will be tested: acetazolamide supplementation to improve sleep quality and reduce mental fatigue, and oxygen-enriched physical exercise to enhance performance and consequently mitigate fatigue. Ultimately, the project aims to map mental fatigability changes and elucidate genotype-related variability in response to extreme environments. This multidisciplinary approach will advance understanding of fatigue mechanisms and inform development of effective interventions.

Organization:

Canadian Space Agency

Expected Results:

The Research component of the program provides financial support to organizations to conduct space related research and development in priority areas. It will support targeted knowledge development and innovation to sustain and enhance the Canadian capacity to use space to address national needs and priorities in the future.

Location:

Montreal, Quebec, CA H3T 1P1N

Reference Number:

003-2025-2026-Q2-00094

Agreement Type:

Grant

Report Type:

Grants and Contributions

Recipient Type:

Academia

Recipient's Legal Name:

University of Montreal

Program:

Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology

Program Purpose:

This program supports knowledge development and innovation in the CSA's priority areas while increasing the awareness and participation of Canadians in space-related disciplines and activities.

The Research Component aims to support the development of science and technology; foster the continual development of a critical mass of researchers and highly qualified people in Canada; and support information gathering and space-related studies and research pertaining to Canadian Space Agency priorities.