Monkey brain damage from radiation in the therapeutic range
Twelve Macaca mulatta monkeys received 200 rads of supervoltage radiation to the whole brain per day, 5 days a week. The course in four monkeys was 4 weeks for a total dose of 4000 rads; in four monkeys, 6 weeks for 6000 rads; and in four monkeys, 8 weeks for 8000 rads. Four unirradiated monkeys served as controls. One from each group, sacrificed at 6 and 12 months from start of irradiation, is reported here. The results from 4000 rads were negligible; those from 8000 rads, profound, with gross brain destruction. The results from 6000 rads, within the therapeutic range, included at 6 months punctate necrotic lesions, 1 mm or less, widely scattered but with a predilection for the forebrain white matter. The reaction to these lesions ranged from an early macrophage response to calcification. Some were accompanied by focal edema. There were occasional examples of vascular endothelial proliferation. In addition, there were patches of dilated capillaries or telangiectasia. Twelve months after 6000 rads there were a few mineralized lesions and innumerable minute deposits of calcium and iron. A more active process was suggested by widely disseminated areas of telangiectasia, 6 to 12 mm in extent. The clinical course from this exposure included papilledema from the third to the sixth month and depressed visual evoked response accompanied by delta activity in the electroencephalogram from the sixth to the twelfth month.
- Research Organization:
- National Inst. of Health, Bethesda, MD
- OSTI ID:
- 7325771
- Journal Information:
- J. Neurosurg.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Neurosurg.; (United States) Vol. 44:1; ISSN JONSA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Effects of single dose supervoltage whole brain radiation in Macaca mulatta. [X radiation]
Delayed brain damage in adult monkeys from radiation in the therapeutic range
Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
FRACTIONATED IRRADIATION
INJURIES
IRRADIATION
LEPTONS
MAMMALS
MONKEYS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANS
PRIMATES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION INJURIES
VERTEBRATES