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Title: Acute effects of exposure to 56Fe and 16O particles on learning and memory

Author
item RABIN, BERNARD - University Of Maryland
item POULOSE, SHIBU - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item CARRIHILL-KNOLL, KRISTY - University Of Maryland
item RAMIREZ, FRANCISCO - Mount Sinai Medical Center
item BIELINSKI, DONNA - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item HEROUX, NICHOLAS - University Of Maryland
item Shukitt-Hale, Barbara

Submitted to: Radiation Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/12/2015
Publication Date: 8/10/2015
Citation: Rabin, B.M., Poulose, S.M., Carrihill-Knoll, K.L., Ramirez, F., Bielinski, D.F., Heroux, N., Shukitt Hale, B. 2015. Acute effects of exposure to 56Fe and 16O particles on learning and memory. Radiation Research. 184:143-150.

Interpretive Summary: Although it has been shown that exposure to radioactive particles (such as those encountered on space missions) can affect memory and learning ability in rats when tested 2-4 weeks after irradiation, it has not been determined whether exposure to these particles can exert acute effects on brain function; i.e., effects within 4-48 hrs after exposure. The present experiments were designed to determine (1) the acute effects of exposure to 2 different radioactive particles on brain function; (2) whether exposure to radioactive particles affected learning or memory; and (3) the relationship between changes in learning or memory and changes in the levels of oxidative stress and inflammation in specific brain regions. The results indicated that the acute effects of irradiation on brain function are on memory, not learning. Further, although the exposure to both types of radioactive particles resulted in acute, widespread oxidative stress and brain inflammation, only changes in specific regions of the brain may be related to changes in memory and learning.

Technical Abstract: Although it has been shown that exposure to HZE particles disrupts cognitive performance when tested 2-4 weeks after irradiation, it has not been determined whether exposure to HZE particles can exert acute effects on cognitive performance; i.e., effects within 4-48 hrs after exposure. The present experiments were designed to determine (1) the acute effects of exposure to HZE particles (16O and 56Fe) on cognitive performance; (2) whether exposure to HZE particles affected learning or memory; and (3) the relationship between acute changes in the levels of NOX2 (a measure of oxidative stress) and COX2 (a measure of neuroinflammation) in specific brain regions and cognitive performance. The results indicated that the acute effects of irradiation on cognitive performance are on memory, not learning. Further, the acute effects of exposure to HZE particles on oxidative stress and neuroinflammation and their relationship to cognitive performance indicate that, although the effects of exposure to both 56Fe and 16O are widespread, only changes in specific regions of the brain may be related to changes in cognitive function. Further, not all changes in neuronal function are related to changes in cognitive performance, and there may be differences in the patterns in the alteration of neural function produced by different HZE particles.