Behavioral-Performance Effects from a High-Neutron, Low-Gamma Radiation Pulse Exposure.

Abstract

A self-paced, 3-light, 3-lever discrete avoidance behavioral task was initiated to study the behavioral performance effects of a high-neutron, low-gamma radiation pulse exposure (550-650 rads, 5.5:1 n/g ratio). Eight rhesus monkey subjects performed the task for 4 hours (3 1/2 hours postexposure). The subjects were monitored daily for 3 days postexposure. For the exposure day only, five subjects had a decrease in correct responses, seven had increased reaction times, and six experienced productive emesis within 3 1/2 hours, although the performance degradations were not severe. An extrapolation to human performance indicates that time-critical tasks (e.g., aircraft landing on a carrier) could be significantly impaired. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1982
Accession Number
ADA124777

Entities

People

  • Billy Yarbrough
  • David Hughes
  • G. Carroll Brown
  • Kenneth A. Hardy
  • Michael G. Yochmowitz

Organizations

  • United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Animals
  • Dose Rate
  • Dosimeters
  • Dosimetry
  • Fast Neutrons
  • Free Field
  • Gamma Rays
  • Measurement
  • Monkeys
  • Nuclear Radiation
  • Photography
  • Radiation
  • Radiation Effects
  • Reaction Time
  • Reactor Cores
  • Thermal Neutrons

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Brain and Cognitive Science; Experimental Psychology; Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Nuclear and Radiation Engineering.
  • Toxicology/Environmental Toxicology