AN INITIAL INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF PULSED IONIZING RADIATION ON THE PRIMATE EQUILIBRIUM FUNCTION.
Abstract
A Primate Equilibrium Platform (PEP) was designed and constructed in order to ascertain the effects of pulsed ionizing radiation on the equilibrium function. Twelve rhesus monkeys were trained to maintain a platform-horizontal position by the manipulation of a 'joy stick.' The experimental animals were transported to the Fast Burst Reactor (FBR) at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), N. Mex., and were irradiated at that facility. The animals received an average midhead dose of 2,420 rads delivered in a microsecond pulse. Following irradiation, each animal was tested for 1 hour. The primary dependent variables were: (1) the time per trial spent on 'horizontal,' and (2) the number of errors (deviations from horizontal) per trial. Results demonstrated a significant, though transient, early performance decrement. All experimental animals included in the final analysis demonstrated a recovery phenomenon subsequent to the early performance decrement. The results confirmed the equilibrium function to be relatively radiosensitive and worthy of further investigation. A modified PEP is projected for future experiments in order to more completely define the parameters of the radiation environment with respect to the equilibrium function. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0648671
Entities
People
- Donald J. Barnes
Organizations
- United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine