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Effects of exposure to 56Fe particles or protons on fixed-ratio operant responding in ratsOn long-duration trips outside of the magnetosphere, astronauts will be exposed to protons and to heavy particles which can affect their performance of required tasks. It is essential to determine the range of behaviors that might be affected by exposure to these types of radiation in order to understand the nature of behavioral deficits and to develop effective countermeasures. The present experiment examined the ability of rats to make an operant response following exposure to protons (250 MeV, 4 Gy) or 56Fe particles (1 GeV/n, 1 or 2 Gy). Following irradiation, rats were trained to press a lever in order to obtain food reinforcement. They were then placed on an ascending fixed-ratio schedule from FR-1 (each lever press rewarded with a food pellet) through FR-35 (35 lever presses required for 1 food pellet). Rats exposed to 4 Gy of protons or 1 Gy of 56Fe particles responded similarly to controls, increasing their rate of responding as the ratio increased. However, rats exposed to 2 Gy of 56Fe particles failed to increase their rate of responding at ratios greater than FR-20, indicating that rats exposed to 2 Gy of 56Fe particles cannot respond appropriately to increasing work requirements.
Document ID
20040087644
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Rabin, Bernard M.
(Department of Psychology UMBC, Baltimore, MD 21250, United States)
Buhler, Lynn L.
Joseph, James A.
Shukitt-Hale, Barbara
Jenkins, Daniel G.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 2002
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of radiation research
Volume: 43 Suppl
ISSN: 0449-3060
Subject Category
Behavioral Sciences
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Non-NASA Center
NASA Discipline Radiation Health

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