Multi-domain cognitive assessment of male mice shows space radiation is not harmful to high-level cognition and actually improves pattern separation.

ABSTRACT: Astronauts on interplanetary missions - such as to Mars - will be exposed to space radiation, a spectrum of highly-charged, fast-moving particles that includes ⁵⁶Fe and ²⁸Si. Earth-based preclinical studies show space radiation decreases rodent performance in low- and some high-level cognitive tasks. Given astronaut use of touchscreen platforms during training and space flight and given the ability of rodent touchscreen tasks to assess functional integrity of brain circuits and multiple cognitive domains in a non-aversive way, here we exposed 6-month-old C57BL/6J male mice to whole-body space radiation and subsequently assessed them on a touchscreen battery. Relative to Sham treatment, ⁵⁶Fe irradiation did not overtly change performance on tasks of visual d

SUBMITTER: Whoolery CW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7026431 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature