Hindlimb suspension‑induced cell apoptosis in the posterior parietal cortex and lateral geniculate nucleus: corresponding changes in c‑Fos protein and the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Recent physiological studies indicate that weightlessness reliably alters ocular structure and function, as well as the ability to process visual‑spatial information. The posterior parietal cortex (PPC) and lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) are two key brain areas implicated in the processing of visual‑spatial information. Here, we used the modified tail‑suspension rat model to simulate the physiological effects of microgravity. Rats were divided into four groups, which exposed to the simulated microgravity environment for 0 (Control group), 7, 14, or 28 days. We found a significant increase in cellular apoptosis in the PPC and the LGN after 7 days of simulated microgravity. In addition, there was an increase in expression of c‑Fos protein in the PPC, and a repression of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in the LGN after 7 days. Based on these results, we conclude that short‑term simulated microgravity may induce cell apoptosis in the PPC and LGN, and reflect a neural adaptive process to accommodate a microgravity environment.