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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #172134
Title: EFFECTS OF AGE AND DIET ON THE HEAVY PARTICLE-INDUCED DISRUPTIONS OF OPERANT RESPONDING PRODUCED BY A GROUND-BASED MODEL FOR EXPOSURE TO COSMIC RAYS

Author
item RABIN, BERNARD - UMBC, DEPT. PSYCHOLOGY
item Joseph, James
item Shukitt-Hale, Barbara

Submitted to: Brain Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/14/2004
Publication Date: 2/2/2005
Citation: Rabin, B.M., Joseph, J.A., Shukitt Hale, B., 2005. Effects of age and diet on the heavy particle-induced disruptions of operant responding produced by a ground-based model for exposure to cosmic rays. Brain Research 1036(2005) 122-129.

Interpretive Summary: On missions to other planets astronauts will be exposed to galactic cosmic rays which are composed of heavy particles (such as 56Fe) and protons. Exposure to these particles can affect the ability of rats to perform a variety of tasks in a manner that appears to parallel the deficits seen in aged animals. Previous research has shown that diets containing blueberry or strawberry extract can reduce the deficits produced by aging or irradiation using a ground-based method for exposure. Rats were placed on diet containing 2% blueberry or strawberry extract for two months prior to exposure to heavy iron particles. There were no effects on performance of any group of animals when tested on an ascending fixed-ratio operant task (bar pressing for food reward) 6 months following exposure. When tested 12 months after exposure the performance of the radiated animals given blueberry extract did not differ from the radiated animals fed the control diet. Both groups performed significantly poorer than the non-irradiated controls. There were no differences between the non-irradiated animals fed control diet and the radiated animals fed the strawberry diet and their performance was significantly better than of the radiated rats fed the blueberry or control diets. The results indicate that diets containing strawberry extract may provide a significant level of radiation protection against cognitive impairment, as well as have some beneficial effects in aging.

Technical Abstract: On missions to other planets astronauts will be exposed to galactic cosmic rays which are composed of heavy particles (such as 56Fe) and protons. Exposure to these particles can affect the ability of rats to perform a variety of tasks in a manner that parallels the deficits seen in aged animals, indicating that there is the possibility that the performance capabilities of astronauts may be affected similarly to those of aged humans. Previous research has shown that diets containing blueberry or strawberry extract can ameliorate the deficits produced by aging or irradiation using a ground-based analog for exposure to cosmic rays. Rats were placed on diet containing 2% blueberry or strawberry extract for two months prior to exposure to 1.5 Gy of 1 GeV/n 56Fe particles. There were no effects on performance of any group of animals when tested on an ascending fixed-ratio operant task 6 months following exposure. When tested 12 months after exposure the performance of the radiated animals given blueberry extract did not differ from the radiated animals fed the control diet. Both groups performed significantly poorer than the non-irradiated controls. There were no differences between the non-irradiated animals fed control diet and the radiated animals fed the strawberry diet and their performance was significantly better than of the radiated rats fed the blueberry or control diets. The results indicate that diets containing strawberry extract may provide a significant level of radiation protection of exploratory class mission, as well as have some beneficial effects in aging.