A neurophysiological approach to effects induced by accelerated particles on the central nervous system in mice

This experiment was designed to study mechanisms of "phosphene vision". A beam of accelerated carbon particles (energy 100 and 300 MeV/n) was delivered into retina and sensorimotor cortex of anaesthetised mice bearing chronic electrodes. Cycles of light flashes were also administered. Following accelerated particles stimulation cycles to the retina, 500 to 5000 per stimulus, 30 stimuli per cycle, stimulus time-related brain waveforms in mice cortex were recorded. Their amplitude and latency appeared to be related to the energy delivered. The short waveforms latency (approximately 30 ms), and the lack of retinic potentials and oscillatory potentials following particles stimuli suggest that the impact of accelerated particles does not produce activation of retinic chemical structures.