title: Effects of exposure to different types of radiation on behaviors mediated by peripheral or central systems.
abstract: The effects of exposure to ionizing radiation on behavior may result from effects on peripheral or on central systems. For behavioral endpoints that are mediated by peripheral systems (e.g., radiation-induced conditioned taste aversion or vomiting), the behavioral effects of exposure to heavy particles (56Fe, 600 MeV/n) are qualitatively similar to the effects of exposure to gamma radiation (60Co) and to fission spectrum neutrons. For these endpoints, the only differences between the different types of radiation are in terms of relative behavioral effectiveness. For behavioral endpoints that are mediated by central systems (e.g., amphetamine-induced taste aversion learning), the effects of exposure to 56Fe particles are not seen following exposure to lower LET gamma rays or fission spectrum neutrons. These results indicate that the effects of exposure to heavy particles on behavioral endpoints cannot necessarily be extrapolated from studies using gamma rays, but require the use of heavy particles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore 21250, USA.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Rabin
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Erat
mesh_terms: D000661:Amphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000494:pharmacology; D007501:Iron; D018499:Linear Energy Transfer; D018021:Lithium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D009502:Neutrons; D010315:Particle Accelerators; D051381:Rats; D012062:Relative Biological Effectiveness; D013649:Taste / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014839:Vomiting
chemical_list: D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes; D015259:Dopamine Agents; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D000661:Amphetamine; D007501:Iron; D018021:Lithium Chloride; D006220:Haloperidol