Effects of Single Versus Multiple Irradiation Upon Avoidance Behavior in the Primate.
Abstract
Fourteen primates (Macaca mulatta) were trained to a high work-rate task, the Multiple Avoidance Program (MAP), and irradiated at the Texas A+M TRIGA reactor. Seven of these primates were exposed to a single 2,500-rad (midhead) pulse of mixed gamma/neutron radiation, while the remaining 7 animals received five 500-rad pulses spaced 15 minutes apart. The behavior of the two groups was monitored for 20 hours following the first pulse for each group, and the rate and quality of postirradiation performance were compared. In general, subjects of the multiple-exposure group appeared to maintain preirradiation levels of response following irradiation, though the variability of their behavior increased. Subjects of the single-exposure group demonstrated a greater degree of performance decrement on all recorded parameters than did their multiple-exposed counterparts. While it is impossible to directly extrapolate these data to the proble functioning of man in a radiation environment, the confirmation of mediation of effect by dose fractionation has important operational ramifications. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0722053
Entities
People
- Donald J. Barnes
- G. Carroll Brown
- Richard A. Mason
Organizations
- United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine