On the biological effect of small doses of ionizing radiation

Lebedinskii, A.V.; Григорьев, Ю Г; Demirchoglian, G. G.

doi:10.1007/bf01472486

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…There is little direct evidence to support the hypo theses that irradiation acts on other cells by producing a temporary or permanent increase of the permeability of the membrane to ions or that it increases the liberation of neurohormones (see Bergeder 1962;Bacq & Alexander 1961;Hug 1962;Brinkman 1962). Nor do our results provide any explanation of the mechanism by which doses of the order of a few roentgens or hundreds of roentgens can immed iately and reversibly affect the central nervous system (Lebedinsky et al 1958). Many effects of this type can be produced not only by localized irradiation of the head but also by irradiation of the whole body or the stomach (see Garcia & Kimmeldorf i960; H aley 1962), and m ay therefore arise indirectly from changes in other systems.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

A study of the effect of X-rays on the electrical properties of mammalian nerve and muscle

Allen¹,

Nicholls²

1963

Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B.

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Resting potentials, action potentials, and miniature end-plate potentials have been recorded from isolated phrenic-diaphragm preparations of the rat during and after irradiation with X-rays. Relatively small doses of a few thousand roentgens have no obvious effect on the preparation for many hours but larger doses, of the order of 70 to 150 kr irreversibly block neuromuscular transmission. The block is not accompanied by any change in the size of action potentials, resting potentials, membrane constants or miniature potentials recorded in the muscle with intracellular electrodes, or in the size of action potentials recorded in the nerve. Records made at the motor end-plate show that the cause of the block is a ‘pre-synaptic ’ failure of impulse propagation in the intramuscular part of the nerve. The time course of the failure depends largely on the rate at which X-rays are delivered to the preparation: at a high dose-rate (70kr/min) the block develops rapidly and is accompanied by an increase in the frequency of miniature potentials; at a low dose-rate (7 kr/min) larger doses are required, the latency is longer and the miniature potentials continue at a normal frequency. The sequence in which different parts of the muscle become blocked, the abrupt nature of the failure at an individual motor end-plate, and the increase in frequency of the miniature potentials together suggest that the action of X-rays is to block conduction in the nerve near its terminals, possibly by depolarizing points where the axons branch and the safety factor for the propagation of impulses is low. The results reported in this paper do not support the hypotheses that small doses of X-rays at a high or a low dose-rate lead to an initial 'enhancement' of function or that they produce immediate and reversible changes in the permeability of excitable membranes to ions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

A study of the effect of X-rays on the electrical properties of mammalian nerve and muscle

Allen¹,

Nicholls²

1963

Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B.

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“…At the 1958 Geneva Conference, Soviet investigators emphasized the fact that the frequently cited radioresistance of the nervous system has been based mainly on the analysis of gross histological studies rather than on subtle physiological changes (Livanov& Biryukov, 1958). In support of their contention that the CNS is highly radioresponsive, Lebedinsky, Grigoryev, and Demirchoglyan (1958) 2 reviewed several studies in which electroencephalographic changes were observed in animals and man following doses of less than 5 r. and in some cases already after less than one r. They cited Grigoryev's study in which increased bioelectrical currents were evident in the human cortex 30-120 seconds after the start of irradiation of the head and abdomen following a total dose amounting to only 3-4 r. At times changes were apparent even in the first few seconds of irradiation when the dose amounted to only about one r. This temporary increase in cortical bioelectric activity was usually followed by a depression. Even more remarkable reports of cortical sensitivity were reported from a study of rabbits subjected to gamma irradiation at a dose rate of .13-.03 r. per second.…”

Section: Nervous System In the Adultmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Since the irradiation usually was not terminated after the changes following the small doses, the permanence of the observed effects was not determined. With doses of 50 r. or higher, Lebedinsky et al (1958) reported effects which were apparent for 2 weeks. Livanov and Biryukov (1958) hypothesized that with whole-body doses in the midlethal region or higher (800 r. or more for mammals) there occurs increased electrical activity and a concomitant lowering of the threshold for stimulation in the subcortical centers.…”

Section: Nervous System In the Adultmentioning

confidence: 96%

Behavioral effects of ionizing radiations: 1955-61.

Furchtgott¹

1963

Psychological Bulletin

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A review of the rapidly increasing literature. The conclusions included: (a) Mammals irradiated pre- or neonatally show relatively permanent deficits in several behavioral domains, such as learning, motor functions, mating, etc. (b) Some investigators report that even small doses affect neural functions and consequently CR acquisition while other find no effects even with large doses. (c) Radiation, however, may be an UCS in avoidance conditioning. Also, several motivational variables are affected. (d) Except for vision where the results are equivocal the data on sensory functions are scant. (e) There is little evidence for long-term human changes. (f) It is emphasized that radiation may be a potentially useful tool in several areas. (195 ref.)

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