MAZE PERFORMANCE AND FIXATED BEHAVIOR IN THE RAT AFTER CRANIAL X IRRADIATION

Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1961 · J. Nervous Mental Disease

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00005053-196104000-00004· OSTI ID:4711807

Murphree, O D; Pool, C S; Frost, T T

Pontions of the cranium of rnts were irradiated with 1760 r, other areas being shielded. The eyes of the rats were then removed and 90 days postirradiation learning trials were conducted in a Stone 14 choice-point mu1tiple T maze. The immediate postirradiation response consisted mainly of several days of lethargy and drowsiness followed by gradual return toward usual behavior. Learning performances of control and irradiated groups did not differ in errors committed in the region of relatively high performance levels between trial 13 and 32, the region of fastest learning. The Wald-Wulfowitz Runs Test showed that the rates of extinction were not different between control and irradiated animals. Histologic examination of the brains 12 months after irradiation showed no lesions of either the nervous tissue proper or of the vessels. It was concluded that: mild brain damage of this type is not a serious factor in fixation development and extinction; the mild brain damage did impair maze performance; slightly impaired intellectuality is not an important factor in fixation development; and vision is not important for fixations of this kind. (H.H.D.)

• Research Organization: Veterans Administration Hospital, North Little Rock, Ark.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-17-010430
• OSTI ID: 4711807
• Journal Information: J. Nervous Mental Disease, Journal Name: J. Nervous Mental Disease Vol. Vol: 132
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BEHAVIOR
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BRAIN
CYTOLOGY
EYES
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RATS
SURGERY
X RADIATION