DEEPTIME: Human Adaptation in Time Underground Isolation

NCT05603780 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 2021-A00747-3727/21_2
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 15
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The objectives of this scientific expedition are: a/ Evaluation of temporal cognitive perception and collective synchronization in a temporally anomalous universe (underground environment), b/ Influence of group living on the endogenous circadian rhythmicity of the central biological clock and peripheral clocks in a "free-running" situation (absence of light/natural darkness), c/Evaluation of cognitive and physiological performance in response to exposure to an extreme environment in a natural underground cavity (cave) without access to a time indicator for 40 days, d/Correlation of cognitive, behavioral, psychological, social, neurophysiological and physiological parameters, e/ Determination of adaptation or maladaptation criteria (biological, genetic, physiological, neurophysiological, psychological and cognitive) in an isolation environment (underground) f/ Study of the evolution of collective organization, decision making and leadership in an extreme isolation and management situation.

Conditions

Physiological Stress; Cognitive Dysfunction; Sleep

Keywords

Cognition; exploration; mission; endogenous biological clock; circadian rhythm; adaptation; temporal isolation; free-running; group influence; sleep; temporal anomie

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Time

  \- Evaluation of time perception perceived by subjects (minute and days) every 10 days up to 40 days

  every ten days up to 40 days

• chronobiology

  -Influence of group living on the endogenous circadian rhythmicity of the central biological clock and peripheral clocks in a "free-running" situation (absence of light / natural darkness): measurments of body core temperature, cortisol and melatonine salivary concentration circadian rythms

  every 5 days up to 40 days

• Human Factors: ethological measurments with video 24/24, actimetric circadian rythms

  \- Evaluation of the capacity of a group to find a synchronicity and a way of life in a new context, extreme in its environmental and temporal dimensions and out of the initial competences of each group member. Measurments of social interaction, comparison of actimetric circadien rythm

  all along the cavern experiment for 40 days

• Physiology

  Physiological parameters (HRV, lean and fat mass by impedancemtry, weight in kg, core body temperature) in response to exposure to an extreme environment in a natural underground cave for 40 days.

  every ten days up to 40 days

• Cognition, Emotion and personnality

  Evaluation of cognitive (taking decision, emotion, spatial cognition) through differents paradigms displayed on screen of Headset in 2D and 3D virtual reality. Mesurements of time reaction, risk score, number of strategy or procedural errors, time to achieve the tasks. Questionnaires (STAI, POMS, big five inventory, IP9)

  every ten to 15 days up to 40 days

Study Arms (1)

group 1

OTHER

one cohort

Behavioral: exploratory protocol

Interventions

exploratory protocol BEHAVIORAL

physiological and cognitive evaluations

group 1

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 25 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Strictly right-handed Good health without any medical and psychiatric diseases No contraindications to MRI French or European nationality Not to be included in another biomedical protocol

You may not qualify if:

• Being pregnant Minor, under guardianship or curatorship

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Hospital, Caen: lead

Study Sites (1)

CHU CAEN

Caen, France

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Arbeille P, Zuj KA, Besnard S, Mauvieux B, Hingrand C, Delaunay PL, Hughson RL, Clot C. Ultrasound assessments of organs and blood vessels before and after 40 days isolation in a cavern (deep time experiment 2021). Front Physiol. 2023 Apr 24;14:1174565. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1174565. eCollection 2023.

  PMID: 37168224 RESULT

Related Links

• website of the scientific expedition

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cognitive Dysfunction

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cognition Disorders; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• stephane besnard, MD

  CaenHU

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Follow-up of one group of healthy participant to 40days in a contraint underground environment

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 1, 2021
• First Posted: November 3, 2022
• Study Start: March 11, 2021
• Primary Completion: September 11, 2021
• Study Completion: March 11, 2022
• Last Updated: April 2, 2026

Record last verified: 2022-08

Locations

FR (1)