THE EFFECT OF X-RAYS ON THE ACTIVITY OF NEURONS IN THE RAT OLFACTORY BULB,
Abstract
Extracellular microelectrode recordings were made from single neurons of the olfactory bulb in anesthetized rats. Approximately 15 percent of the units examined responded in some way (usually an increase in frequency) to 250 kvp x-irradiation at dose rates of 1.5 to 2.0 R/second when exposures of the whole animal, heat only, or olefactory bulb region were made. No responses to radiation were obtained when exposures were made of the body only, the heat posterior to the olfactory bulb, or the anterior 5-8 mm of the heat. Ethyl alcohol perfused through the nasal cavities of tracheotomized rats abolished all responses to radiation. After perfusion of normal saline through the nasal passages responses of units to radiation were readily obtained. In units which were studied both before and after perfusion of saline through the nasal passages, the response to radiation was usually abolished temporarily. It was concluded that x-irradiation can in some way stimulate olfactory receptors. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 06, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0468696
Entities
People
- Donald J. Kimeldorf
- Gary P. Cooper
Organizations
- Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory