X-Ray Dose and Electroconvulsive Responses in Adult Rats

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1964 · Radiation Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3571518· OSTI ID:4113270

Pollack, Marilyn; Timiras, Paola S.

Electroshock seizure responses were studied in control and irradiated adult male rats exposed to single whole-body x-ray doses of 15, 20, 25, 50, 100, 250, and 500 r. Irradiation at all dose levels produced a statistically significant, dose-dependent reduction in threshold for electroshock seizures which lasted 2 to 3 weeks after 15 or 20 r, 2 to 3 months after 25 to 250 r, and more than 8 months after 500 r. Although body weight was decreased temporarily (after 25to 250 r) or permanently (after 500 r) in some of the irradiated rats, the magnitude, duration, and dosedependency of the reduction in threshold appeared to vary independently of changes in body weight. Alterations in the pattern of maximal electroshock seizures occurred onlv after doses of 50 r or more and lasted generally for the entire experimental method even after the lower effective doses; they consisted of a shortening of the duration of clonus and total seizure after 50 to 500 r and a lengthening of tonic extension with shoitening of tonic flexion after 500 r. The data are tentatively interpreted to indicate that whole-body x irradiation in doses of 15 to 500 r increases brain excitability as measured by lowering of seizure threshold and by facilitation of tonic convulsive phases; induces an earlier than normal onset of neuronal fatigue as shown by shorter durations of clonus and total seizure; and affects various parameters of brain activity to a different degree, suggesting a differential radiosensitivity of specific regions and functions of the central nervous system.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Berkeley
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-18-008180
• OSTI ID: 4113270
• Journal Information: Radiation Research, Journal Name: Radiation Research Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 21; ISSN 0033-7587
• Publisher: Radiation Research Society
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AGE
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BODY
BRAIN
DISEASES
DISTRIBUTION
ELECTRODES
ELECTROSHOCK
NERVOUS SYSTEM
PHYSIOLOGY
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOSENSITIVITY
RATS
SENSITIVITY
VARIATIONS
WEIGHT
X RADIATION