Irradiation in a flash: Unique sparing of memory in mice after whole brain irradiation with dose rates above 100Gy/s

Radiother Oncol. 2017 Sep;124(3):365-369. doi: 10.1016/j.radonc.2017.05.003. Epub 2017 May 22.

Abstract

This study shows for the first time that normal brain tissue toxicities after WBI can be reduced with increased dose rate. Spatial memory is preserved after WBI with mean dose rates above 100Gy/s, whereas 10Gy WBI at a conventional radiotherapy dose rate (0.1Gy/s) totally impairs spatial memory.

Keywords: Cognition’s preservation; Flash-RT; Whole brain irradiation.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / physiology
  • Brain / radiation effects*
  • Cranial Irradiation / adverse effects
  • Cranial Irradiation / methods*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
  • Female
  • Hippocampus / physiology
  • Hippocampus / radiation effects
  • Humans
  • Memory / physiology
  • Memory / radiation effects*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neurogenesis / physiology
  • Neurogenesis / radiation effects
  • Radiation Injuries, Experimental / etiology
  • Radiation Injuries, Experimental / prevention & control*