Evidence for Direct Stimulation of the Mammalian Nervous System with Ionizing Radiation

[Emily]

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/137/3533/857.short

Science 14 September 1962:
Vol. 137 no. 3533 pp. 857-859
DOI: 10.1126/science.137.3533.857
Evidence for Direct Stimulation of the Mammalian Nervous System with Ionizing Radiation

Edward L. Hunt and
Donald J. Kimeldorf

+ Author Affiliations

Physiology-Psychology Branch, U.S. Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory, San Francisco 24, California

Abstract

Exposure to x-rays of low intensity immediately arouses the sleeping rat. Activation of the central nervous system, indicated by behavioral and heart rate responses, depends upon the rat but not the dose of exposure. The arousal reaction is not dependent upon direct visual stimulation. The nervous system is probably directly sensitive to ionizing radiation.

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/144/3625/1470.abstract

Science 19 June 1964:
Vol. 144 no. 3625 pp. 1470-1472
DOI: 10.1126/science.144.3625.1470
Sensitivity of the Head to X-Ray

J. Garcia,
N. A. Buchwald,
B. H. Feder,
R. A. Koelling and
L. Tedrow

+ Author Affiliations

Veterans Administration Hospital, Long Beach, California

Abstract

Rats have been trained to respond to signals consisting of very low doses of χ-ray directed to the head. This stimulus is probably received in the vicinity of the olfactory bulbs and adjacent neural structures.