In the dark depths of the Antarctic winter, Meg O’Connell couldn’t help thinking her morning coffee was missing its usual caffeine kick.
“Often, you’re thinking, ‘Wow, the coffee’s stopped working down here. I can’t seem to get my energy together,” she said.
Dr O’Connell has a background as a remote GP with the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Queensland.
But earlier this year, she traded the tropics for a long-term stint as the expedition medical officer at Casey Station on the icy continent.
Casey Station — one of four of Australia’s Antarctic and sub-Antarctic stations — was established in February, 1969. (Supplied: Australian Antarctic Division)
“I’ve ticked over six months down here for the Antarctic winter and it’s been a wonderful experience.”
But it’s also been an eye-opener about the effects the cold climate, lack of sunlight and social isolation can have on the human brain and body.
Scientists take icy plunge for midwinter solstice in Antarctica
“It’s been absolutely fascinating seeing people’s cognition go through the winter, because at an individual level, people really do notice the change.”
Dr O’Connell describes it as a “cloudiness”, where it’s difficult to find words or maintain attention during long tasks.
Others experience changes to their mood, or disruption to their sleep patterns.
Some studies have even shown extended deployments to Antarctica can lead to temporary shrinkage in parts of the brain, or a reduction in taste and smell functionality.
Scientists stationed at Casey are subjected to long, cold winters. (Supplied: Australian Antarctic Division)
Testing shows cognitive decline during winter
To better understand the cognitive and physical changes that take place, dozens of expeditioners at Australia’s Antarctic and sub-Antarctic stations are taking part in a voluntary study.
One of them is Thomas Whyte, an electrician from Melbourne who experienced a sense of “fogginess” as winter set in during his deployment at Casey Station.
“The continuous cold weather… on top of the darkness, it provides a sense of isolation,” he said.
“And knowing you’re away from your friends and family for quite a long time, it definitely gives you that sense.”
Mr Whyte is taking part in a voluntary study on mental and physical functionality while in Antarctica. (Supplied: Australian Antarctic Division)
Each month, under the guidance of Dr O’Connell, he and the other participants at Casey Station attach a small monitoring device to their chest for three days.
Known as a BioSticker, it measures their heart rate, temperature, breath, sleeping patterns and movement.
The BioSticker is smaller than a credit card. (Supplied: Australian Antarctic Division)
On a monthly basis, the participants also perform a 20-minute cognitive test on a laptop to assess their mental processes including thinking, learning, memory and perception.
It gives expeditioners a real-time assessment of how their mental and physical functionality changes as the months pass.
“Sometimes [the results] get a bit alarming throughout the depths of winter,” Mr Whyte said.
“But luckily I’m on the other side [of winter] and my results are improving.”
Dr O’Connell and Mr Whyte are both taking part in the voluntary study. (Supplied: Australian Antarctic Division)
Dr O’Connell said she too was not immune to the changes.
“I remember thinking, ‘Oh, it won’t happen to me’, but the cognition scores on my test demonstrate that I had a cognitive drop during winter as well.”
Astronauts to benefit from research
The results of the research project will be used to ensure Antarctic expeditioners receive the best possible medical support during their prolonged assignments.
But the outcomes will have much wider benefits.
“They’ll also support human space flight as we take that next leap forward and head deeper into space,” Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) deputy chief medical officer, Dr John Cherry, said.
Dr Cherry is a PhD candidate in space medicine with the University of Tasmania. (Supplied: CSIRO)
Dr Cherry said the challenges faced by Antarctic expeditioners were not dissimilar to those endured by astronauts during space missions.
“So small teams in isolation, dependent on technology for survival, chronic low-grade stress in that environment, changes in circadian rhythm, changes in sleep and mood,” he said.
Dr Cherry says researchers in Antarctica and astronauts in space experience similar levels of isolation. (Supplied: NASA)
The study is being run in collaboration with the US-based Translational Research Institute for Space Travel, as well as the University of Pennsylvania.
Virtual reality beaches in Antarctica
It uses the same cognitive laptop tests and biosensors as those undertaken by astronauts on the International Space Station and SpaceX flights but provides a much larger sample size.
“It gives us an ability to support research that’s actively happening in orbit at the same time as occurring on the ground in Antarctica,” Dr Cherry said.
The research project has also given those on the ice a sense of additional purpose during the cold winter months.
“It’s added a wonderful meaning to the year,” Dr O’Connell said.
The study will continue running for another year.
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