title: Fast neutron irradiation deteriorates hippocampus-related memory ability in adult mice.
abstract: Object recognition memory and contextual fear conditioning task performance in adult C57BL/6 mice exposed to cranial fast neutron irradiation (0.8 Gy) were examined to evaluate hippocampus-related behavioral dysfunction following acute exposure to relatively low doses of fast neutrons. In addition, hippocampal neurogenesis changes in adult murine brain after cranial irradiation were analyzed using the neurogenesis immunohistochemical markers Ki-67 and doublecortin (DCX). In the object recognition memory test and contextual fear conditioning, mice trained 1 and 7 days after irradiation displayed significant memory deficits compared to the sham-irradiated controls. The number of Ki-67- and DCX-positive cells decreased significantly 24 h post-irradiation. These results indicate that acute exposure of the adult mouse brain to a relatively low dose of fast neutrons interrupts hippocampal functions, including learning and memory, possibly by inhibiting neurogenesis.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Medical Institute, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 500-757, Korea.
authors.forename: Miyoung
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Hwanseong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Juhwan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sung-Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jong-Choon
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Chun-Sik
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Joong-Sun
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Taekyun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Changjong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016371:Cranial Irradiation; D000089622:Doublecortin Domain Proteins; D000089662:Doublecortin Protein; D005214:Fast Neutrons; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C000714847:Dcx protein, mouse; D000089622:Doublecortin Domain Proteins; D000089662:Doublecortin Protein; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides