Ionizing radiation-induced alterations in the electrophysiological properties of Aplysia sensory neurons.
It is clear that ionizing radiation can alter neuronal function. Recently it has been suggested that radiation can directly influence neurons and/or the neuronal microenvironment. We have developed a simple in vitro model system utilizing the marine mollusc Aplysia californica to test this hypothesis. We show that ionizing radiation at doses of 5, 10 or 15 Gy produces complex effects on the electrophysiological properties of a population of Aplysia nociceptive sensory neurons at 24 and 48 h post irradiation. These results add support to the notion that ionizing radiation can directly influence neurons and/or the neuronal microenvironment. Furthermore, they demonstrate that Aplysia may be used as a useful model system to study radiation-induced neuronal plasticity.
Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte 28223, USA. aclatwor@email.uncc.edu
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Clatworthy
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F
Noel
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E
Grose
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Cui
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Tofilon
D000818:Animals; D001048:Aplysia / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005720:Gamma Rays; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000528:radiation effects; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011829:Radiation Dosage