Combined ionizing radiation exposure by gamma-rays and carbon-12 nuclei increased neurotrophic factors content and prevent age-associated decrease in the sensorimotor cortex volume of rats

Here, we studied the effect of combined ionizing radiation exposure (0.4 Gy γ-rays and 0.14 Gy carbon-12 nuclei) on the locomotor and exploratory activity of Wistar rats, as well as assessed the sensorimotor cortex volume by magnetic resonance imaging-based morphometry at 1 week and 7 months post-irradiation. The sensorimotor cortex tissues were processed to determine whether the behavioral and morphologic effects were associated with changes in neurotrophins content.