The cognitive defects of neonatally irradiated miceare accompanied by changed synaptic plasticity,adult neurogenesis and neuroinflammation

• Background/purpose of the study: Epidemiological evidence suggests that low doses of ionising radiation(≤1.0 Gy) produce persistent alterations in cognition if the exposure occurs at a young age. The mechanismsunderlying such alterations are unknown. We investigated the long-term effects of low doses of total body gammaradiation on neonatally exposed NMRI mice on the molecular and cellular level to elucidate neurodegeneration.Results: Significant alterations in spontaneous behaviour were observed at 2 and 4 months following a single 0.5or 1.0 Gy exposure. Alterations in the brain proteome, transcriptome, and several miRNAs were analysed 6–7months post-irradiation in the hippocampus, dentate gyrus (DG) and cortex. Signalling pathways related to synapticactin remodelling such as the Rac1-Cofilin pathway were altered in the cortex and hippocampus. Further, synapticproteins MAP-2 and PSD-95 were increased in the DG and hippocampus (1.0 Gy). The expression of synapticplasticity genes Arc, c-Fos and CREB was persistently reduced at 1.0 Gy in the hippocampus and cortex. Thesechanges were coupled to epigenetic modulation via increased levels of microRNAs (miR-132/miR-212, miR-134).Astrogliosis, activation of insulin-growth factor/insulin signalling and increased level of microglial cytokine TNFαindicated radiation-induced neuroinflammation. In addition, adult neurogenesis within the DG was persistentlynegatively affected after irradiation, particularly at 1.0 Gy.Conclusion: These data suggest that neurocognitive disorders may be induced in adults when exposed at a youngage to low and moderate cranial doses of radiation. This raises concerns about radiation safety standards andregulatory practices.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Neurovetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Neurosciences (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)