Effects of heavy particle irradiation and diet on object recognition memory in rats

On long-duration missions to other planets astronauts will be exposed to types and doses of radiation that are not experienced in low earth orbit. Previous research using a ground-based model for exposure to cosmic rays has shown that exposure to heavy particles, such as 56Fe, disrupts spatial learning and memory measured using the Morris water maze. Maintaining rats on diets containing antioxidant phytochemicals for 2 weeks prior to irradiation ameliorated this deficit. The present experiments were designed to determine: (1) the generality of the particle-induced disruption of memory by examining the effects of exposure to 56Fe particles on object recognition memory; and (2) whether maintaining rats on these antioxidant diets for 2 weeks prior to irradiation would also ameliorate any potential deficit. The results showed that exposure to low doses of 56Fe particles does disrupt recognition memory and that maintaining rats on antioxidant diets containing blueberry and strawberry extract for only 2 weeks was effective in ameliorating the disruptive effects of irradiation. The results are discussed in terms of the mechanisms by which exposure to these particles may produce effects on neurocognitive performance. This study derives behavior results from the novel object recognition assay. The original data derived from this study by Rabin et al. was transformed and used as part of a predictive modeling study by Dr. Mora, Dr. Wyrobek, Dr. Ben Brown et al. The study files contain both the original data and the transformed data produced by both research teams. For questions regarding the original study data and methods/assays, please contact the original study investigator and publication author Dr. Bernard Rabin ([e-mail]). For questions about the predictive modeling data files or how they were generated, please contact Dr. Mora ([e-mail]).