Radiation biology. Radioecology
ISSN: 0869-8031

Archives → 2020 → V. 60. №3. → pp. 270–278

Article

Early Delayed Effect of Accelerated Carbon Ions and Protons on the Cognitive Functions of Mice

S. S. Sorokina^a S. I. Zaichkina^a, O. M. Rozanova^a, A. E. Shemyakov^a, E. H. Smirnova^a, A. R. Dyukina^a, A. E. Malkov^a, V. E. Balakin^b, and V. A. Pikalov^c

^aInstitute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russia ^bPhysical Technical Center, Lebedev Physical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Protvino, Russia ^cInstitute of High Energy Physics, National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Protvino, Russia

Abstract

The early delayed effects of accelerated carbon ions and protons on the cognitive functions of mice using test of total activity, spatial learning, long-term and short-term hippocampal-dependent memory were studied. The obtained results showed that irradiated animals do not develop an altered behavioral pattern: the level of
anxiety is not increased, the research model of behavior is clearly pronounced, there is no deficiency of hippocampal-dependent memory. However, the long-term memory test revealed fewer errors in finding an escape box in a group of animals irradiated with protons compared to the control animals and mice irradiated
with carbon ions. The results indicate to better retention of memory traces under this type of radiation

Keywords

carbon ions, protons, hadron therapy, hippocampus, cognitive impairment, mice