Lanterna Rally

Author: E. L. Hunt

Publisher:

Published: 1962

Total Pages: 24

ISBN-13:

In a behavioral study designed to detect the most immediate reaction of the intact nervous system to ionizing radiation, rats were exposed while asleep to X rays (250 kvp), and measurements of behavioral arousal and heart rate were made to indicate activation of the central nervous system. A transitory behavioral arousal was exhibited within 12 seconds at an exposure rate of 0.25 r/second. At a higher dose rate of 1.9 r/second this initial reaction increased in scope and by 30 seconds included sub-cortical activation as well, as indicated by a heart rate response. These reactions depended upon the rate of exposure and not upon the total dose. In blinded animals, exposure at the high intensity evoked both the behavioral arousal and the heart rate response. This indicates that CNS activation cannot be attributed to the direct effect of radiation on the visual receptor system. Although radiation may act as a stimulus to the CNS through other sensory systems it was also suggested that the nervous system itself is directly sensitive to ionizing radiation.