DEEPTIME: Human Adaptation in Time Underground Isolation
Condition: Physiological Stress; Cognitive Dysfunction; Sleep
MeSH terms: Cognitive Dysfunction
Study type: Interventional

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.
    

Detailed description: 
      This exceptional period has shown a significant desynchronization and loss of notion of time
      in a large number of people as well as important questions about human abilities to live in
      confined conditions. It is partly for this reason, but also to answer more fundamental
      questions on the perception of time that the extraordinary research expedition Deep Time was
      conceived: 40 days underground to know the links of our brain to time and synchronization
      within a group. A fundamental need for our future. This scientific expedition will take place
      entirely in France to ensure the feasibility and safety of the subjects and experimenters,
      under the direction of Christian Clot and the Institute of Human Adaptation, placed under the
      high patronage of the Ministry of Education, Research and Innovation.

      The project addresses the fundamental question of human adaptation to the physical
      environment and the crucial role of the brain's neuroplasticity properties.

      The present "Deep-Time" protocol naturally echoes the "out-of-time" isolation experiments
      conducted by the speleologist Michel Siffre starting in 1962 and its various components in
      the years that followed.

      These "out of time" experiments led to certain conclusions. As curious as it may seem, in the
      absence of the time givers (synchronizers or Zeitgebers in German) that are the social
      rhythms and the day-night alternations, the spontaneous rhythm would settle on a rhythm of
      about 25 hours.

      However, these experiments remained limited to isolated individuals, in conditions of spatial
      unity (no displacement outside of the work camps), leaving a whole field of research and
      questioning that the year 2021 has strongly emphasized.

      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.
    

Intervention name(s): exploratory protocol
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): physiological and cognitive evaluations
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Intervention model description: Follow-up of one group of healthy participant to 40days in a contraint underground environment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Basic Science
Keywords: Cognition; exploration; mission; endogenous biological clock; circadian rhythm; adaptation; temporal isolation; free-running; group influence; sleep; temporal anomie