Neuritogenesis:  a model for space radiation effects on the central nervous system.
Pivotal to the astronauts' functional integrity and survival during long space flights are the strategies to deal with space radiations.  The majority of the cellular studies in this area emphasize simple endpoints such as growth related events which, although useful to understand the nature of primary cell injury, have poor predictive value for extrapolation to more complex tissues such as the central nervous system (CNS).  In order to assess the radiation damage on neural cell populations, we developed an in vitro model in which neuronal differentiation, neurite extension, and synaptogenesis occur under controlled conditions.  The model exploits chick embryo neural explants to study the effects of radiations on neuritogenesis.  In addition, neurobiological problems associated with long-term space flights are discussed.
Vazquez
M E
ME
Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, New York 10032, USA.
Broglio
T M
TM
Worgul
B V
BV
Benton
E V
EV
D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002642:Chick Embryo; D003359:Cosmic Radiation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D046508:Culture Techniques; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000528:radiation effects; D004249:DNA Damage; D018499:Linear Energy Transfer; D016501:Neurites / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011853:Radiobiology / Q000379:methods; D012160:Retina / Q000196:embryology / Q000528:radiation effects; D013026:Space Flight