Loss of hippocampal neurogenesis, increased motor activity and impaired reversal learning one year after irradiation of the young mouse brain.
Authors: Kalm M, Karlsson N, Nilsson MK, Blomgren K
Abstract
Radiotherapy is a major cause of long-term complications in survivors of pediatric brain tumors. These complications include intellectual and memory impairments as well as perturbed growth and puberty. We investigated the long-term effects of a single 8Gy irradiation dose to the brains of 14-day-old mice. Behavior was assessed one year after irradiation using IntelliCage and open field, followed by immunohistochemical investigation of proliferation and neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. We found a 70% reduction in proliferation and survival (BrdU incorporation 4weeks prior to sacrifice), 99% decrease in neurogenesis (number of doublecortin-positive cells) and gliosis (12% higher astrocyte density) one y...
