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Behavioral endpoints for radiation injury
B M Rabin1, J A Joseph, W A Hunt
1Behavioral Sciences Department, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Bethesda, MD 20889, USA.
Advances in Space Research : the Official Journal of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)
|October 1, 1994
Summary
Heavy particle radiation, like iron-56, is more behaviorally toxic than previously thought, impacting learning and potentially altering behaviors in space radiation environments. This research highlights the need for better understanding of radiation
Area of Science:
- Radiobiology
- Neuroscience
- Space Medicine
Background:
- Understanding the behavioral effects of space radiation is critical for astronaut health.
- Heavy particles, prevalent in space radiation, may pose unique toxicological risks.
- Previous assessments of radiation toxicity often used limited particle types and endpoints.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the relative behavioral effectiveness of various heavy particle radiations.
- To determine if linear-energy transfer (LET) accurately predicts behavioral toxicity.
- To investigate the impact of heavy particle exposure on specific learned behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the taste aversion paradigm in rats and emesis induction in ferrets.
- Exposed animals to different types of radiation, including 20Ne, 40Ar, 56Fe, 93Nb, fission neutrons, 60Co photons, and 18 MeV electrons.
- Assessed the attenuation of amphetamine-induced taste aversion learning following 56Fe particle exposure.
Main Results:
- Most heavy particles (e.g., 20Ne, 40Ar) showed similar behavioral toxicity to 60Co photons.
- 56Fe particles, 93Nb particles, and fission neutrons were significantly more behaviorally effective.
- 60Co photons were more effective than 18 MeV electrons in inducing emesis; LET did not fully predict effectiveness.
- 10 cGy of 56Fe particles attenuated amphetamine-induced taste aversion learning in rats.
Conclusions:
- Linear-energy transfer (LET) is not a complete predictor of behavioral effectiveness for heavy particles.
- 56Fe particles and neutrons exhibit high behavioral toxicity, impacting learned behaviors.
- Heavy particle exposure may alter dopaminergic system-dependent behaviors, with implications for space radiation environments.