title: Effects of exposure to 56Fe particles on the acquisition of a conditioned place preference in rats.
abstract: Exposure to low doses of 56Fe particles produces changes in neural function and behavior. The present experiments were designed to examine the effects of irradiation on the acquisition of a dopamine-mediated conditioned place preference (CPP). In the CPP procedure, rats are given an injection of the dopamine agonist amphetamine in one distinctive compartment and a saline injection in a different compartment of a three-compartment apparatus. Control rats develop a preference for the amphetamine-paired compartment. In contrast, rats exposed to 1 Gy of 56Fe particles fail to develop a similar preference. The results of the experiment indicate that exposure to low doses of heavy particles can disrupt the neural mechanisms that mediate the reinforcement of behavior.
authors.affiliation: Dept.of Psychology, UMBC, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Rabin
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shukitt-Hale
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Denissova
mesh_terms: D000661:Amphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D020450:Heavy Ions; D007501:Iron; D018499:Linear Energy Transfer; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D017356:Synchrotrons
chemical_list: D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D000661:Amphetamine; D007501:Iron