Journal Article

sup 28^Silicon Radiation Impairs Neuronal Output in CA1 Neurons of Mouse Ventral Hippocampus without Altering Dendritic Excitability

Vlkolinský, Roman, Nelson, Gregory A, Sokolova, Irina V, Rudobeck, Emil

2014

Overview

An unavoidable complication of space travel is exposure to radiation consisting of high-energy charged particles (HZE), such as Fe and Si nuclei. HZE radiation can affect neuronal functions at the level of the synapse or neuronal soma without inducing significant neuronal death. Different radiation species impart distinct patterns of radiation damage depending on their track structure, dose rate and fluence. Moreover, structural differences exist along the dorsoventral axis of the hippocampus that may underlie different radiosensitivities within the same neuronal field (e.g., the CA1 pyramidal cell population of the hippocampus). In this study, the authors have tested the functional effects of low doses of ^sup 28 ^Si radiation on excitability and synaptic plasticity in hippocampal slices prepared strictly from the ventral hippocampus. These data confirm that irradiation with 28 ^sup^Si particles at relatively low doses alters the properties of the hippocampal network, which can limit its connectivity with other brain centers.

• Publisher: Allen Press Inc
• Subject: Irradiation