Bioelectric Effects of High Energy 

 Irradiation on Nerve* 



C. T. Gaffey 



Donner Laboratory, University of California, 

 Berkeley, California 



Introduction 



There is little in the literature concerning the action of high energy radia- 

 tion on the bioelectric properties of nerve. Most papers deal with the exposure 

 of nerve to x-rays (Audiat, 1932; Audiat and PiflFault, 1934; Audiat, et al, 

 1934; Bachofer, 1957; Bachofer and Gautereaux, 1959, 1960a, b; Gerstner, 

 1956; Gerstner et al, 1955; Janzen and Warren, 1942) or beta rays (Gas- 

 teiger, 1951, 1952, 1959; Redfield ct al, 1922). The goal of this investigation 

 was to determine the dose of high energy radiation that would inhibit the 

 excitatory process of frog's sciatic nerve. Synchrocyclotron-produced 910 

 Mev alpha particles, and 455 Mev deuterons were employed as irradiation 

 beams. 



The effects of high energy alpha particles and deuterons have medical 

 implications because of the increasing application of cyclotron beams to 

 stereotaxic radiosurgery in the central nervous system (Tobias et al, 1952, 

 1958; Born et al, 1959). In space exploration and in long time exposure 

 projects, such as lunar colonization, the biologic effects of high energy par- 

 ticles might be a limiting factor. Evaluation of this hazard has been specula- 

 tive. A practical way to study this problem is to engage existing cyclotron 

 facilities for biologic research. 



Methods 



Frogs {Rana pipiens) were housed under low temperature conditions 

 (10°C) for about a week prior to experimentation. They were sacrificed by 

 decapitation followed by spinal cord pithing. Both sciatic nerves were excised 

 from over 200 frogs and placed in Ringer's solution (Mitchell, 1948). One 



* This study is based on work performed under contracts with the U.S. Atomic 

 Energy Commission. 



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