Time- and dose-dependent changes in neuronal activity produced by X radiation in brain slices

Journal Article · Tue May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · Radiation Research; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3577608· OSTI ID:6808497

Pellmar, T C; Schauer, D A; Zeman, G H ^[1]

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1. Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Bethesda, MD (USA)

A new method of exposing tissues to X rays in a lead Faraday cage has made it possible to examine directly radiation damage to isolated neuronal tissue. Thin slices of hippocampus from brains of euthanized guinea pigs were exposed to 17.4 ke V X radiation. Electrophysiological recordings were made before, during, and after exposure to doses between 5 and 65 Gy at a dose rate of 1.54 Gy/min. Following exposure to doses of 40 Gy and greater, the synaptic potential was enhanced, reaching a steady level soon after exposure. The ability of the synaptic potential to generate a spike was reduced and damage progressed after termination of the radiation exposure. Recovery was not observed following termination of exposure. These results demonstrate that an isolated neuronal network can show complex changes in electrophysiological properties following moderate doses of ionizing radiation. An investigation of radiation damage directly to neurons in vitro will contribute to the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of radiation-induced nervous system dysfunction.

• OSTI ID: 6808497
• Journal Information: Radiation Research; (USA), Vol. 122:2; ISSN 0033-7587
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
HIPPOCAMPUS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
GUINEA PIGS
IN VITRO
NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES
RADIATION DOSES
TIME DEPENDENCE
X RADIATION
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
DISEASES
DOSES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MAMMALS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANS
PHYSIOLOGY
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RODENTS
VERTEBRATES
560120* - Radiation Effects on Biochemicals
Cells
& Tissue Culture