Prenatal irradiation and spatial memory in mice: investigation of dose-response relationship

Epidemiological and experimental evidence for radiation-induced health effects in the progeny after exposure in utero

PURPOSE

It has been known for many decades that radiation exposure of the developing embryo or fetus may cause two fundamentally different types of severe health effects: on the one hand, radiation may interfere with the normal intrauterine development, on the other hand, radiation may induce leukemia and cancer which become manifest in childhood. A large amount of epidemiological and experimental data has recently been presented which might be used to improve our understanding of underlying mechanisms and setting radiation protection standards. Yet, ecological studies in the populations exposed to increased levels of radiation in regions contaminated by radioactivity released from reactor accidents (Chernobyl, Fukushima) do not provide solid evidence which would contribute to this aim. On the other hand, well designed experimental studies demonstrated the multifactorial mechanisms which lead to different health effects after radiation exposure in utero.

CONCLUSION

There is no convincing evidence, neither from epidemiological nor experimental data of the existence of a dose threshold for developmental defects after radiation exposure in utero. This must be taken into account in the revision of rules and regulations of radiation protection in medicine.

Prenatal Radiation Exposure Leads to Higher-Order Telencephalic Dysfunctions in Adult Mice That Coincide with Reduced Synaptic Plasticity and Cerebral Hypersynchrony

Higher-order telencephalic circuitry has been suggested to be especially vulnerable to irradiation or other developmentally toxic impact. This report details the adult effects of prenatal irradiation at a sensitive time point on clinically relevant brain functions controlled by telencephalic regions, hippocampus (HPC), and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Pregnant C57Bl6/J mice were whole-body irradiated at embryonic day 11 (start of neurogenesis) with X-ray intensities of 0.0, 0.5, or 1.0 Gy. Female offspring completed a broad test battery of HPC-/PFC-controlled tasks that included cognitive performance, fear extinction, exploratory, and depression-like behaviors. We examined neural functions that are mechanistically related to these behavioral and cognitive changes, such as hippocampal field potentials and long-term potentiation, functional brain connectivity (by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging), and expression of HPC vesicular neurotransmitter transporters (by immunohistochemical quantification). Prenatally exposed mice displayed several higher-order dysfunctions, such as decreased nychthemeral activity, working memory defects, delayed extinction of threat-evoked response suppression as well as indications of perseverative behavior. Electrophysiological examination indicated impaired hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Prenatal irradiation also induced cerebral hypersynchrony and increased the number of glutamatergic HPC terminals. These changes in brain connectivity and plasticity could mechanistically underlie the irradiation-induced defects in higher telencephalic functions.

Later Life Changes in Hippocampal Neurogenesis and Behavioral Functions After Low-Dose Prenatal Irradiation at Early Organogenesis Stage

PURPOSE

To investigate long-term changes in behavioral functions of mice after exposure to low-dose prenatal radiation at an early organogenesis stage.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Pregnant C57BL/6J mice were irradiated (20 cGy) at postcoitus day 5.5. The male and female offspring were subjected to different behavioral assays for affective, motor, and cognitive functions at 3, 6, and 12 months of age. Behavioral functions were further correlated with the population of CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons and immature neurons in hippocampal dentate gyrus.

RESULTS

Prenatally exposed mice of different age groups showed a sex-specific pattern of sustained changes in behavioral functions. Male mice showed significant changes in anxiety-like phenotypes, learning, and long-term memory at age 3 months. At 6 months of age such behavioral functions were recovered to a normal level but could not be sustained at age 12 months. Female mice showed an appreciable recovery in almost all behavioral functions at 12 months. Patterns of change in learning and long-term memory were comparable to the population of CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons and doublecortin-positive neurons in hippocampus.

CONCLUSION

Our finding suggests that prenatal (early organogenesis stage) irradiation even at a lower dose level (20 cGy) is sufficient to cause potential changes in neurobehavioral function at later stages of life. Male mice showed relatively higher vulnerability to radiation-induced neurobehavioral changes as compared with female.

Prenatal irradiation-induced brain neuropathology and cognitive impairment

Embryo/fetus is much more radiosensitive than neonatal and adult human being. The main potential effects of pre-natal radiation exposure on the human brain include growth retardation, small head/brain size, mental retardation, neocortical ectopias, callosal agenesis and brain tumor which may result in a lifetime poor quality of life. The patterns of prenatal radiation-induced effects are dependent not only on the stages of fetal development, the sensitivity of tissues and organs, but also on radiation sources, doses, dose rates. With the increased use of low dose radiation for diagnostic or radiotherapeutic purposes in recent years, combined with postnatal negative health effect after prenatal radiation exposure to fallout of Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident, the great anxiety and unnecessary termination of pregnancies after the nuclear disaster, there is a growing concern about the health effect of radiological examinations or therapies in pregnant women. In this paper, we reviewed current research progresses on pre-natal ionizing irradiation-induced abnormal brain structure changes. Subsequent postnatal neuropsychological and neurological diseases were provided. Relationship between irradiation and brain aging was briefly mentioned. The relevant molecular mechanisms were also discussed. Future research directions were proposed at the end of this paper. With limited human data available, we hoped that systematical review of animal data could relight research interests on prenatal low dose/dose rate irradiation-induced brain microanatomical changes and subsequent neurological and neuropsychological disorders.

Current Evidence for Developmental, Structural, and Functional Brain Defects following Prenatal Radiation Exposure

Ionizing radiation is omnipresent. We are continuously exposed to natural (e.g., radon and cosmic) and man-made radiation sources, including those from industry but especially from the medical sector. The increasing use of medical radiation modalities, in particular those employing low-dose radiation such as CT scans, raises concerns regarding the effects of cumulative exposure doses and the inappropriate utilization of these imaging techniques. One of the major goals in the radioprotection field is to better understand the potential health risk posed to the unborn child after radiation exposure to the pregnant mother, of which the first convincing evidence came from epidemiological studies on in utero exposed atomic bomb survivors. In the following years, animal models have proven to be an essential tool to further characterize brain developmental defects and consequent functional deficits. However, the identification of a possible dose threshold is far from complete and a sound link between early defects and persistent anomalies has not yet been established. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge on brain developmental and persistent defects resulting from in utero radiation exposure and addresses the many questions that still remain to be answered.

Persistent Impact of In utero Irradiation on Mouse Brain Structure and Function Characterized by MR Imaging and Behavioral Analysis

Prenatal irradiation is known to perturb brain development. Epidemiological studies revealed that radiation exposure during weeks 8-15 of pregnancy was associated with an increased occurrence of mental disability and microcephaly. Such neurological deficits were reproduced in animal models, in which rodent behavioral testing is an often used tool to evaluate radiation-induced defective brain functionality. However, up to now, animal studies suggested a threshold dose of around 0.30 Gray (Gy) below which no behavioral alterations can be observed, while human studies hinted at late defects after exposure to doses as low as 0.10 Gy. Here, we acutely irradiated pregnant mice at embryonic day 11 with doses ranging from 0.10 to 1.00 Gy. A thorough investigation of the dose-response relationship of altered brain function and architecture following in utero irradiation was achieved using a behavioral test battery and volumetric 3D T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We found dose-dependent changes in cage activity, social behavior, anxiety-related exploration, and spatio-cognitive performance. Although behavioral alterations in low-dose exposed animals were mild, we did unveil that both emotionality and higher cognitive abilities were affected in mice exposed to ≥0.10 Gy. Microcephaly was apparent from 0.33 Gy onwards and accompanied by deviations in regional brain volumes as compared to controls. Of note, total brain volume and the relative volume of the ventricles, frontal and posterior cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and striatum were most strongly correlated to altered behavioral parameters. Taken together, we present conclusive evidence for persistent low-dose effects after prenatal irradiation in mice and provide a better understanding of the correlation between their brain size and performance in behavioral tests.

Increased apoptosis and DNA double-strand breaks in the embryonic mouse brain in response to very low-dose X-rays but not 50 Hz magnetic fields

The use of X-rays for medical diagnosis is enhancing exposure to low radiation doses. Exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic or magnetic fields is also increasing. Epidemiological studies show consistent associations of childhood leukaemia with exposure to magnetic fields but any causal relationship is unclear. A limitation in assessing the consequence of such exposure is the availability of sensitive assays. The embryonic neuronal stem and progenitor cell compartments are radiosensitive tissues. Using sensitive assays, we report a statistically significant increase in DNA double-strand break (DSB) formation and apoptosis in the embryonic neuronal stem cell compartment following in utero exposure to 10–200 mGy X-rays. Both endpoints show a linear response. We also show that DSB repair is delayed following exposure to doses below 50 mGy compared with 100 mGy. Thus, we demonstrate in vivo consequences of low-dose radiation. In contrast to these impacts, we did not observe any significant induction of DSBs or apoptosis following exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields (100 or 300 µT). We conclude that any DSB induction by treatment with magnetic fields is lower than following exposure to 10 mGy X-rays. For comparison, certain procedures involving computed tomography scanning are equivalent to 1–5 mGy X-rays.

Prenatal exposure to ultrasound affects learning and memory in young rats

Prenatal exposure to ultrasound may cause cognitive impairments in experimental animals; however, the exact mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, we exposed pregnant rats (or sham-exposed controls) to different intensities of ultrasound repeatedly on days 6, 12 and 18 of pregnancy for 4 min (3.5 MHz, spatial peak time average intensity = 7.6 mW/cm(2), mechanical index = 0.1, thermal index bone = 0.1: 4-min group) or 20 min (3.5 MHz, spatial peak time average intensity = 106 mW/cm(2), mechanical index = 1.4, thermal index bone = 1.0: 20-min group). The Morris water maze was used to assess learning and memory function in pups at 2 mo of age. Noticeable deficits in behavior occurred in the group exposed to ultrasound for 20 min. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, we also determined that both the mRNA and protein expression levels of hippocampal N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor units 1 (NR1) and 2B (NR2B) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were significantly lower in pups exposed to ultrasound for 20 min than in controls. Furthermore, the morphology of the synapses in the hippocampus was partially damaged. Compared with the control group, the 4-min group had better spatial learning and memory abilities, as well as higher mRNA and protein levels of NR1, NR2B and BDNF. Our study suggests that high-intensity ultrasound irradiation can decrease learning and memory abilities by reducing the expression of NR1, NR2B and BDNF in the hippocampal regions and damaging the structure of synapses. In contrast, low-intensity ultrasound irradiation can enhance the learning and memory abilities of the offspring rats by increasing the expression of NR1, NR2B and BDNF receptor in the hippocampal regions.

Thermal thresholds for teratogenicity, reproduction, and development

The human embryo and foetus may be especially vulnerable to chemical and physical insults during defined stages of development. In particular, the scheduled processes of cell proliferation, cell migration, cell differentiation, and apoptosis that occur at different times for different organ structures can be susceptible to elevated temperatures. With limited ability to regulate temperature on its own, the developing embryo and foetus is entirely dependent upon the mother's thermoregulatory capacity. As a general rule, maternal core body temperature increases of ∼2°C above normal for extended periods of time, 2-2.5°C above normal for 0.5-1 h, or ≥4°C above normal for 15 min have resulted in developmental abnormalities in animal models. Significant differences in thermoregulation and thermoneutral ambient temperatures make direct extrapolation of animal data to humans challenging, and the above temperatures may or may not be reasonable threshold predictions for adverse developmental effects in humans. Corresponding specific absorption rate (SAR) values that would be necessary to cause such temperature elevations in a healthy adult female would be in the range of ≥15 W/kg (whole body average or WBA), with ∼4 W/kg required to increase core temperature 1°C. However, smaller levels of thermal stress in the mother that are asymptomatic might theoretically result in increased shunting of blood volume to the periphery as a heat dissipation mechanism. This could conceivably result in altered placental and umbilical blood perfusion and reduce heat exchange with the foetus. It is difficult to predict the magnitude and threshold for such an effect, as many factors are involved in the thermoregulatory response. However, a very conservative estimate of 1.5 W/kg WBA (1/10th the threshold to protect against measurable temperature increases) would seem sufficient to protect against any significant reduction in blood flow to the embryo or foetus in the pregnant mother. This is more than three times above the current WBA limit for occupational exposure (0.4 W/kg) as outlined in both IEEE C95.1-2005 and ICNIRP-1998 international safety standards for radiofrequency (RF) exposures. With regard to local RF exposure directly to the embryo or foetus, significant absorption by the mother as well as heat dissipation due to conductive and convective exchange would offer significant protection. However, a theoretical 1-W/kg exposure averaged over the entire 28-day embryo, or averaged over a 1-g volume in the foetus, should not elevate temperature more than 0.2°C. Because of safety standards, exposures to the foetus this great would not be attainable with the usual RF sources. Foetal exposures to ultrasound are limited by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to a maximum spatial peak temporal average intensity of 720 mW/cm(2). Routine ultrasound scanning typically occurs at lower values and temperature elevations are negligible. However, some higher power Doppler ultrasound devices under some conditions are capable of raising foetal temperature several degrees and their use in examinations of the foetus should be minimised.

Transient inflammation in neurogenic regions after irradiation of the developing brain

We characterized the inflammatory response after a single dose of 8 Gy to the brains of postnatal day 9 rats. Affymetrix gene chips revealed activation of multiple inflammatory mechanisms in the acute phase, 6 h after irradiation. In the subacute phase, 7 days after irradiation, genes related to neurogenesis and cell cycle were down-regulated, but glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was up-regulated. The concentrations of 14 different cytokines and chemokines were measured using a microsphere-based xMAP technology. CCL2, Gro/KC and IL-1alpha were the most strongly up-regulated 6 h after irradiation. CCL2 was expressed in astrocytes and microglia in the dentate gyrus and the subventricular zone (SVZ). Hypertrophy, but not hyperplasia, of astrocytes was demonstrated 7 days after irradiation. In summary, we found transient activation of multiple inflammatory mechanisms in the acute phase (6 h) after irradiation and activation of astrocytes in the subacute phase (7 days) after irradiation. It remains to be elucidated whether these transient changes are involved in the persistent effects of radiation observed on neurogenesis and cognition in rodents.

Cranial irradiation-induced inhibition of neurogenesis in hippocampal dentate gyrus of adult mice: attenuation by melatonin pretreatment

Radiation is an important therapeutic tool in the treatment of cancer. The tremendous development in radiotherapeutic techniques and dosimetry has made it possible to augment the patient survival. Therefore, attention has focused on long-range treatment side effects especially in relation to the neurocognitive changes. As cognitive health of an organism is considered to be maintained by the capacity of hippocampal neurogenesis, this study designed to evaluate the delayed effect of cranial irradiation on hippocampal neurogenesis, possible implication of oxidative stress and prophylactic action of melatonin in mice. One month after cranial irradiation (6 Gy, X-ray), changes in the population of immature and proliferating neurons in dentate gyrus were localized through the expression of the microtubule binding protein doublecortin (Dcx) and proliferation marker Ki-67. We found a substantial reduction in the Dcx and Ki-67 positive cells after irradiation. Melatonin pretreatment significantly ameliorated the radiation-induced decline in the Dcx and Ki-67 positive cells. In addition, profound increase in the 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine positive cells were reported in subventricular zone, granular cell layer and hilus after day 30 postirradiation. Immunoreactivity of these oxidative stress markers were significantly inhibited by melatonin pretreatment. To confirm the magnitude of free-radical scavenging potential of melatonin, we measured the in-vitro OH radical scavenging power of melatonin by electron spin resonance. Interestingly, the melatonin was capable of scavenging the OH radicals at very low concentration (IC(50) = 214.46 nm). The findings indicate the possible benefit of melatonin treatment to combat the delayed side effects of cranial radiotherapy.

Dose-dependent effects of radiation therapy on cerebral blood flow, metabolism, and neurocognitive dysfunction

PURPOSE

A prospective study was performed to formally relate dose-dependent radiologically defined changes in normal brain induced by radiotherapy (RT) to neurocognitive dysfunction in subjects with primary brain tumors.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Adult patients receiving three-dimensional RT for central nervous system (CNS) tumors were enrolled. Positron emission tomography (PET) scanning and neuropsychological testing were performed before RT and 3 weeks and 6 months after treatment. Analyses were performed for correlations between changes in 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]-fluoro-d-glucose (FDG)-PET (metabolism), (15)O-PET (relative blood flow), regional radiation dose, follow-up time, and neuropsychological test scores.

RESULTS

Eleven subjects were enrolled and 6 completed follow-up studies. The PET data showed reduced FDG uptake, with average decreases of 2-6% in regions of the brain receiving greater than 40 Gy at 3 weeks' and 6 months' follow-up. The (15)O-H(2)O PET showed increases (<10%) at 3 weeks in relative regional blood flow in brain receiving greater than 30 Gy, but less at the 6-month follow-up studies. There were significant correlations between decreases in FDG uptake and increased scores from the Symptom Checklist-90-R, with an average increase in T score of 2 (p < 0.0001). The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test showed a significant correlation of decreased FDG uptake with increased errors and perseveration in test performance, with an average decrease in T score of 11 (p = 0.037).

CONCLUSIONS

A dose-dependent response of CNS tissue was detected using FDG PET in this small number of patients. Decreases in CNS metabolism correlated with decreased performance on neuropsychological tests for problem solving, cognitive flexibility, and global measures of psychopathology. Additional research is needed to verify and define these findings.

Spatial learning and expression of neural cell adhesion molecule L1 in rats X-irradiated prenatally

The present study was designed to present evidence to clarify the relationships between learning ability, neuronal cell adhesion molecule L1 expression and hippocampal structural changes in the rat model received X-irradiation at an embryonic stage (E15). Water maze task indicated that all of the irradiated rats failed to learn the task in the whole training procedure. Their latency to the platform and swimming distance were significant differences from those sham-treated controls. Histological studies showed that the hippocampal ectopias induced by X-rays in the CA1 were involved in the spatial learning impairment, in which they hampered normal processes in learning development and transmission of information. Number, size and positions of the ectopias in the dorsal parts of the hippocampus were confirmed to be related to degrees of spatial learning impairment. On the other hand, L1 expression in the hippocampus was examined with Western blot analysis. The results indicated a lower content of L1 in the irradiated rats. A decrease in L1 might be one of reasons to cause disorganization of the septohippocampal pathways. These findings suggest some mechanisms of spatial learning impairment can be attributed to the formation of the hippocampal ectopias and redaction of L1 following prenatal exposure to X-irradiation.

Effect of diagnostic ultrasound during the fetal period on learning and memory in mice

BACKGROUND

An experiment was conducted to find out whether in utero exposure to diagnostic ultrasound leads to changes in postnatal behavior in adult mice.

METHODS

A total of 15 pregnant Swiss albino mice were exposed to diagnostic levels of ultrasound (3.5 MHz, 65 mW/cm(2), intensity((spatial peak-temporal peak)) (I(SPTP))=1 mW/cm(2), intensity((spatial average-temporal average)) (I(SATA))=240 mW/cm(2)) for 30 min on day 14 or 16 of gestation. All exposed as well as control animals were left to complete gestation and parturition. Their offspring were used in our further studies. They were monitored during early postnatal life for standard developmental markers (such as pinna detachment, eye opening and fur development) and postnatal mortality was recorded up to 6 weeks of age. The litters were subjected to behavioral tests for learning and memory at 4 months of age. Representative animals from each group were sacrificed and the hippocampal region of the brain was assayed for biogenic amines, noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin (5-HT) and 5-HT's metabolite, 5-hydroxy indoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), in order to determine whether ultrasound exposure produced any biochemical changes in the hippocampal region of the brain. Coronal sections from the dorsal hippocampus from the representative animals from each group were processed for staining and the number of neurons was counted.

RESULTS

Neither the standard developmental markers (such as pinna detachment, eye opening and fur development) nor the postnatal mortality was affected by ultrasound exposure. However, there was a significant impairment in learning (hole board test) and memory functions (shuttle box test) in both the exposure groups. Significant reductions in the biogenic amines and the decrease in the neuronal density were found only in day 14th pc ultrasound-exposed group compared with the control animals. The 16th day exposure group is relatively resistant to ultrasound-induced impairment of brain functions.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the early fetal brain is highly susceptible to induction of neurobehavioral changes by ultrasound exposure.

Neural stem cell-preserving external-beam radiotherapy of central nervous system malignancies

PURPOSE

Recent discoveries have implicated neural stem cells (NSC) as the source of plasticity and repair in the mature mammalian brain. Treatment-induced NSC dysfunction may lead to observed toxicity. This study evaluates the feasibility of NSC-preserving external beam radiotherapy.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A single computed tomography (CT) dataset depicting a right periventricular lesion was used in this study as this location reflects the most problematic geometric arrangement with respect to NSC preservation. Conventional and NSC preserving radiotherapy (RT) plans were generated for the same lesion using two clinical scenarios: cerebral metastatic disease and primary high-grade glioma. Disease-specific target volumes were used. Metastatic disease was conventionally treated with whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) to 3,750 cGy (15 fractions) followed by a single stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) boost of 1,800 cGy to gross disease only. High-grade glioma was treated with conventional opposed lateral and anterior superior oblique beams to 4,600 cGy (23 fractions) followed by a 1,400 cGy (7 fractions) boost. NSC preservation was achieved in both scenarios with inverse-planned intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

RESULTS

Cumulative dose reductions of 65% (metastatic disease) and 25% (high-grade glioma) to the total volume of the intracranial NSC compartments were achieved with NSC-preserving IMRT plans. The reduction of entry and exit dose to NSC niches located contralateral to the target contributed most to NSC preservation.

CONCLUSIONS

Neural stem cells preservation with current external beam radiotherapy techniques is achievable in context of both metastatic brain disease and high-grade glioma, even when the target is located adjacent to a stem cell compartment. Further investigation with clinical trials is warranted to evaluate whether NSC preservation will result in reduced toxicity.

The Role of Functional Imaging in the Diagnosis and Management of Late Normal Tissue Injury

Normal tissue injury after radiation therapy (RT) can be defined based on either clinical symptoms or laboratory/radiologic tests. In the research setting, functional imaging (eg, single-photon emission computed tomography [SPECT], positron-emission tomography [PET], and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) is useful because it provides objective quantitative data such as metabolic activity, perfusion, and soft-tissue contrast within tissues and organs. For RT-induced lung, heart, and parotid gland injury, pre- and post-RT SPECT images can be compared with the dose- and volume-dependent nature of regional injury. In the brain, SPECT can detect changes in perfusion and blood flow post-RT, and PET can detect metabolic changes, particularly to regions of the brain that have received doses above 40 to 50 Gy. On MRI, changes in contrast-enhanced images, T(1) and T(2) relaxation times, and pulmonary vascular resistance at different intervals pre- and post-RT show its ability to detect and distinguish different phases of radiation pneumonitis. Similarly, conventional and diffusion-weighted MRI can be used to differentiate between normal tissue edema, necrosis, and tumor in the irradiated brain, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy can measure changes in compounds, indicative of membrane and neuron disruption. The use of functional imaging is a powerful tool for early detection of RT-induced normal tissue injury, which may be related to long-term clinically significant injury.

Adaptive responses induced by low dose radiation in dentate gyrus of rats

The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanism of alternative responses to low dose irradiation for neuronal cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of rats. To determine the effect of a single exposure to radiation, rats were irradiated with a single dose of 0.1, 1, 10 or 20 Gy. To determine the effect of the cumulative dose, the animals were irradiated daily with 0.01 Gy or 0.1 Gy from 1 to 4 days. The neuronal cell proliferation was evaluated using immunohistochemistry for 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), Ki-67 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining. Four consecutive daily irradiations with a 0.01 Gy/fraction increased the number of BrdU-positive and Ki-67-positive cells in a dose dependent manner, but this did not affect the number of TUNEL-positive cells. However, there was not a dose dependent relationship for the 0.1 Gy/fraction irradiation with the number of BrdU, Ki-67 and TUNEL positive cells. Our data support the explanation that the adaptive response, induced by low-dose radiation, in the hippocampus of rats is more likely a reflection of the perturbations of cell cycle progression.

Spatial Learning and Memory Deficits after Whole-Brain Irradiation are Associated with Changes in NMDA Receptor Subunits in the Hippocampus

Whole-brain irradiation is used for the treatment of brain tumors, but can it also induce neural changes, with progressive dementia occurring in 20-50% of long-term survivors. The present study investigated whether 45 Gy of whole-brain irradiation delivered to 12-month-old Fischer 344 x Brown Norway rats as nine fractions over 4.5 weeks leads to impaired Morris water maze (MWM) performance 12 months later. Compared to sham-irradiated rats, the irradiated rats demonstrated impaired MWM performance. The relative levels of the NR1 and NR2A but not the NR2B subunits of the NMDA receptor were significantly higher in hippocampal CA1 of irradiated rats compared to control rats. No significant differences were detected for these NMDA subunits in CA3 or dentate gyrus. Further analysis of CA1 revealed that the relative levels of the GluR1 and GluR2 subunits of the AMPA receptor and synaptophysin were not altered by whole-brain irradiation. In summary, a clinically relevant regimen of fractionated whole-brain irradiation led to significant impairments in spatial learning and reference memory and alterations in the relative levels of subunits of the NMDA, but not the AMPA, receptors in hippocampal CA1. These findings suggest for the first time that radiation-induced cognitive impairments may be associated with alterations in glutamate receptor composition.

Radiation-induced impairment of hippocampal neurogenesis is associated with cognitive deficits in young mice

Advances in the management of pediatric brain tumors have increased survival rates in children, but their quality of life is impaired due to cognitive deficits that arise from irradiation. The pathogenesis of these deficits remains unknown, but may involve reduced neurogenesis within the hippocampus. To determine the acute radiosensitivity of the dentate subgranular zone (SGZ), 21-day-old C57BL/J6 male mice received whole brain irradiation (2-10 Gy), and 48 h later, tissue was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Proliferating SGZ cells and their progeny, immature neurons, were decreased in a dose-dependent fashion. To determine if acute changes translated into long-term alterations in neurogenesis, mice were given a single dose of 5 Gy, and 1 or 3 months later, proliferating cells were labeled with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU). Confocal microscopy was used to determine the percentage of BrdU-labeled cells that showed mature cell phenotypes. X-rays significantly reduced the production of new neurons at both time points, while glial components showed no change or small increases. Measures of activated microglia and infiltrating, peripheral monocytes indicated that reduced neurogenesis was associated with a chronic inflammatory response. Three months after irradiation, changes in neurogenesis were associated with spatial memory retention deficits determined using the Morris water maze. Behavioral training and testing increased the numbers of immature neurons, most prominently in irradiated animals. These data provide evidence that irradiation of young animals induces a long-term impairment of SGZ neurogenesis that is associated with hippocampal-dependent memory deficits.

Irradiation-induced progenitor cell death in the developing brain is resistant to erythropoietin treatment and caspase inhibition

One hemisphere of postnatal day 8 (P8) rats or P10 mice was irradiated with a single dose of 4-12 Gy, and animals were killed from 2 h to 8 weeks after irradiation (IR). In the subventricular zone (SVZ) and the granular cell layer (GCL) of the dentate gyrus, harboring neural and other progenitor cells, nitrosylation and p53 peaked 2-12 h after IR, followed by markers for active caspase-3, apoptosis-inducing factor and TUNEL (6-24 h). Ki67-positive (proliferating) cells had disappeared by 12 h and partly reappeared by 7 days post-IR. The SVZ and GCL areas decreased approximately 50% 7 days after IR. The development of white matter was hampered, resulting in 50-70% less myelin basic protein staining. Pretreatment with erythropoietin did not confer protection against IR. Caspase inhibition by overexpression of XIAP prevented caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation but not cell death, presumably because of increased caspase-independent cell death.

Podophyllum hexandrum prevents radiation-induced neuronal damage in postnatal rats exposed in utero

Podophyllum hexandrum has been shown to mitigate radiation injuries and especially the haemopoietic syndrome in adult mice. To monitor the radiation-induced changes in the nervous system, the neurons of postnatal young mice and their modification by P. hexandrum, were studied histologically for differences in the apical and basal dendritic branching and intersections in the CA1 neurons of the hippocampal region of rats which were delivered a 2 Gy gamma dose while in utero (day 17 of gestation). Irradiation significantly reduced the dendritic branching and intersections but pre-irradiation administration of the extract of P. hexandrum (i.p. 200 mg/kg/b.w., 2 h) reduced the damage in postnatal young mice. These studies indicate that P. hexandrum provides protection to neurons against radiation-induced damage and the mechanism of neuronal damage and its repair need to be investigated further.

How radiosensitive are the developing embryo and fetus?

In its 1990 recommendations, the ICRP considered the radiation risks after exposure during prenatal development. This report is a critical review of new experimental animal data on biological effects and evaluations of human studies after prenatal radiation published since the 1990 recommendations.

Thus, the report discusses the effects after radiation exposure during pre-implantation, organogenesis, and fetogenesis. The aetiology of long-term effects on brain development is discussed, as well as evidence from studies in man on the effects of in-utero radiation exposure on neurological and mental processes. Animal studies of carcinogenic risk from in-utero radiation and the epidemiology of childhood cancer are discussed, and the carcinogenic risk to man from in-utero radiation is assessed. Open questions and needs for future research are elaborated.

The report reiterates that the mammalian embryo and fetus are highly radiosensitive. The nature and sensitivity of induced biological effects depend upon dose and developmental stage at irradiation. The various effects, as studied in experimental systems and in man, are discussed in detail. It is concluded that the findings in the report strengthen and supplement the 1990 recommendations of the ICRP.

Changes in histological construction and decrease in 3H-QNB binding in the rat brain after prenatal X-irradiation

To elucidate the mechanisms involved in deleterious neuronal and behavioral changes after prenatal ionizing irradiation, in vitro muscarinic acetylcholine (mACh) receptor binding and histological construction were investigated in 9-week old rat brains after 1.5 Gy X-ray exposure on embryonic day 15 (E15). A gross anatomical examination with a magnetic-resonance imaging system showed an irregular tissue construction in the hippocampus and cortex of the irradiated rat brain. Histological sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin also indicated that the structures of the hippocampus and cortex were obviously changed. In irradiated rats, the laminar structure of pyramidal cells was selectively deranged in the CA1 region. In vitro 3H-Quinuclidinyl benzilate binding in the hippocampus was significantly decreased (about 10%) in prenatal irradiated rats compared to that in sham-treated rats. On the other hand, no significant change in mACh receptor binding was observed in the cerebral cortex. The present study revealed that prenatal exposure to ionizing radiation may induce dysfunction of the cholinergic neuronal systems, especially in the hippocampus, resulting in deleterious changes in memory and behavior.

Irradiation induces neural precursor-cell dysfunction

In both pediatric and adult patients, cranial radiation therapy causes a debilitating cognitive decline that is poorly understood and currently untreatable. This decline is characterized by hippocampal dysfunction, and seems to involve a radiation-induced decrease in postnatal hippocampal neurogenesis. Here we show that the deficit in neurogenesis reflects alterations in the microenvironment that regulates progenitor-cell fate, as well as a defect in the proliferative capacity of the neural progenitor-cell population. Not only is hippocampal neurogenesis ablated, but the remaining neural precursors adopt glial fates and transplants of non-irradiated neural precursor cells fail to differentiate into neurons in the irradiated hippocampus. The inhibition of neurogenesis is accompanied by marked alterations in the neurogenic microenvironment, including disruption of the microvascular angiogenesis associated with adult neurogenesis and a marked increase in the number and activation status of microglia within the neurogenic zone. These findings provide clear targets for future therapeutic interventions.

Postnatal growth, neurobehavioral and neurophysiologic changes of prenatal low-dose beta-radiation from tritiated water in mice

Pregnant adult C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to four groups: one sham and three irradiated groups that were exposed to -irradiation from tritiated water (HTO) by a single intraperitoneal injection on Day 12.5 of gestation. The offspring received cumulative doses of 0.036, 0.071, and 0.213 Gy, respectively. The litters were observed for postnatal growth (body weight, brain weight), the development of four physiologic milestones (pinna detachment, eye opening, testes decent, vaginal opening), the acquisition age of several reflexes (cliff avoidance, air righting) and sensory functions (auditory startle, thermal reflex), movement and coordination functions and activity (pivoting, foot splay, continuous corridor activity), learning and memory performance (shock avoidance, conditioning reflex), and the density of CA1-CA4 hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Modest but significant dose-dependent neuronal death and functional impairment were seen in both 0.071 and 0.213 Gy groups. In conclusion, even prenatal low-dose beta-radiation may impair murine central nervous system (CNS) development suggesting the potential importance of minimizing environmental exposure during human pregnancy.

X-irradiation causes a prolonged reduction in cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of adult rats

The effects of X-irradiation on proliferating cells in the dentate subgranular zone were assessed in young adult Fisher 344 rats exposed to a range of X-ray doses and followed for up to 120 days. Apoptosis was quantified using morphology and end-labeling immunohistochemistry, and cell proliferation was detected using antibodies against the thymidine analog BrdU and the cyclin-dependent kinase p34(cdc2). Radiation-induced apoptosis occurred rapidly, with maximum morphological and end-labeling changes observed 3-6h after irradiation. Twenty-four hours after irradiation cell proliferation was significantly reduced relative to sham-irradiated controls. The number of apoptotic nuclei increased rapidly with radiation dose, reaching a plateau at about 3Gy. The maximum number of apoptotic nuclei was substantially higher than the number of proliferating cells, suggesting that non-proliferating as well as proliferating cells in the subgranular zone were sensitive to irradiation. Subgranular zone cell proliferation was significantly reduced relative to age-matched controls 120 days after doses of 5Gy or higher. These findings suggest that neural precursor cells of the dentate gyrus are very sensitive to irradiation and are not capable of repopulating the subgranular zone at least up to 120 days after irradiation. This may help explain, in part, how ionizing irradiation induces cognitive impairments in animals and humans.

Influence of gestational age to low-level gamma irradiation on postnatal behavior in mice

The present investigation was carried out to study the effects of in utero exposure to low-level gamma radiation (0.25, 0.35, or 0.50 Gy) on the postnatal neurophysiology and neurochemistry of the mouse. Pregnant Swiss albino mice were irradiated on days 11.5, 12.5, 14.5, or 17.5 post coitus (PC) and allowed to deliver. Locomotor and exploratory activities, learning and memory functions, and emotional activities were tested at 3 months of age using behavior tests. A representative group of animals was killed and hippocampal biogenic amines, noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin (5-HT), and 5-HT's metabolite 5-hydroxy indoleactetic acid (5-HIAA), were measured. Exposure to 0.25 Gy at any of the gestation days did not produce any significant impairment in brain functions. However, an increase in gamma irradiation to 0.50 Gy on all the gestation days produced significant impairment in locomotor (open-field test) and anxiolytic (light and dark area test) activities, learning (hole board test), memory functions (active avoidance test), and emotional activity (rearings). The late fetal period is relatively resistant to radiation-induced impairment of brain functions. Both of the organogenesis gestation days showed a higher sensitivity than the fetal gestation days studied. Even a lower dose of 0.35 Gy when exposed on the late organogenesis days 11.5 and 12.5 PC, produced significant reduction in locomotor and exploratory activities. Day 11.5 PC showed a higher sensitivity than the other PC days studied. Biogenic amines did not show significant change after any of the exposures on any of the gestation days. The results suggest a threshold between 0.25 to 0.35 Gy for postnatal neurobehavior changes.

Effect of late fetal irradiation on adult behavior of mouse: Dose-response relationship

Pregnant Swiss mice were exposed to 0.3-1.5 Gy of gamma radiation on day 17 of gestation and allowed to deliver the offspring. When the F1 mice were 6 months old, they were subjected to a number of behavioral tests. Open-field and dark-bright arena tests were conducted to study locomotor and exploratory activities. Learning and memory were tested by holeboard activity, conditioned avoidance response, and radial arm maze performance. After all the tests, 20 animals (10 males and 10 females) from each group were killed, and their brain weight was taken. The open-field and dark-bright arena tests showed a significant dose-dependent decrease in the locomotor and exploratory activities. Reduction in time spent in the dark area and higher locomotor activity in the bright area indicated a reduced aversion to bright light. But the emotional activities like rearing and grooming did not change. The learning and memory functions also showed a significant impairment, even at 0.3 Gy. The deficit in the performance in the holeboard test, conditioned avoidance response, as well as maze-learning efficiency, decreased linearly with increase in radiation dose. The brain weight showed a linear dose-dependent decrease. But the brain/body weight ratio was not significantly affected even at 1.5 Gy. These results demonstrate that exposure of a mouse on day 17 of gestation to radiation doses below 1.0 Gy can induce significant impairment in the adult brain function, without producing any notable effects on brain morphology. This study also suggests that the retardation of higher brain function by exposures during the late fetal period may have a threshold of around 0.3 Gy.

Radiation-related brain damage and growth retardation among the prenatally exposed atomic bomb survivors

Many studies of prenatally exposed survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have shown that exposure to ionizing radiation during gestation has harmful effects on the developing human brain. Data on the occurrence of severe mental retardation as well as variation in intelligence quotient (IQ) and school performance show significant effects on those survivors exposed 8-15 and 16-25 weeks after ovulation. Studies of seizures, especially those without a known precipitating cause, also exhibit a radiation effect in survivors exposed 8-15 weeks after ovulation. The biologic events that subtend these abnormalities are still unclear. However, magnetic resonance imaging of the brains of some mentally retarded survivors has revealed a large region of abnormally situated gray matter, suggesting an abnormality in neuronal migration. Radiation can induce small head size as well as mental retardation, and a review of the relationship between small head size and anthropometric measurements, such as height, weight, sitting height and chest circumference, shows that individuals with small head size have smaller anthropometric measurements than normocephalics. This suggests that radiation-related small head size is related to a generalized growth retardation. Finally, the issue of a threshold in the occurrence of one or more of these effects, both heuristically and from a regulatory perspective, remains uncertain. Simple inspection of the data often suggests that a threshold may exist, but little statistical support for this impression can be advanced, except in the instance of mental retardation.

Prenatal exposure to a 50 Hz magnetic field has no effect on spatial learning in adult mice

Male CD1 mice were exposed in utero to a 50 Hz sinusoidal magnetic field at 5 mT (rms) for the period of gestation and were raised subsequently without applied fields. At 82-84 days of age, they began a radial-arm-maze experiment that was designed to test for deficits in spatial learning and memory. Mice exposed in utero and sham-exposed mice exhibited no statistically significant differences in performances.

Acute exposure to power-frequency magnetic fields has no effect on the acquisition of a spatial learning task by adult male mice

A series of four experiments was performed to determine whether acute exposure to a range of 50 Hz magnetic fields had any effect on a learning task in adult male CD1 mice. A radial-arm maze placed within the bore of an electromagnet was used to assess spatial discrimination learning for food reward. Subjects were reduced to 85% of their free-feeding weight and were placed in the maze for up to 15 minutes each day for 10 days. Performance of the task was measured by using maximum likelihood techniques to calculate the probability that an animal would not reenter any given arm of the maze. Experimental subjects were exposed to a vertical, 50 Hz sinusoidal magnetic field at 5 microT, 50 microT, 0.5 mT, or 5.0 mT (rms). Control subjects were exposed only to a background time-varying field of less than 50 nT and the ambient static field of about 40 microT. The variation in the applied magnetic field was less than 5% except at the ends of the arms, where it approached 10%. It was found that all eight groups of subjects (n = 10 in all cases) showed similar increases in performance with testing, and the acquisition curve for each group of experimental subjects was not significantly different from that of their control group (P > 0.05 in all cases). It was concluded that exposure had no effect on learning at any flux density. This result is contrary to the findings of a number of preliminary studies, although other studies have reported that magnetic fields do not affect spatial learning in adult male rodents. It is possible that differences between experimental conditions might explain some of this apparent discrepancy.