Response of olfactory bulb neurons to x-rays as a function of nasal oxygen concentration

Responses of single olfactory bulb neurons in rats to x-irradiation of the head were examined during the perfusion through the nasal cavities of gas containing various concentrations of oxygen. Response to x-ray was unchanged with oxygen concentrations of from 100 percent down to about 5 percent. Progressively larger response decrements were observed with oxygen concentrations of 2 percent and less.