Behavior degradation due to 1100-rad pulsed radiation exposure (5.8:1 neutron/gamma ratio).

Abstract

Abstract : A self-paced, 3-light, 3-lever discrete avoidance behavioral task was used for further study of behavioral performance effects of a high-neutron, low-gamma radiation pulse exposure (average 1100 rads midline tissue, 5,8:1 neutron/gamma ratio). Eight rhesus monkeys were exposed at the White Sands Missile Range Fast Burst Reactor and tested daily for up to 5 days after exposure. On the exposure day, all eight subjects had significantly degraded response accuracy, seven had increased reaction-time scores, seven experienced productive emesis. One day after exposure, most subjects performed near baseline levels except for occasional brief period(s). At 2 days, two subjects were unable to meaningfully perform the behavioral task and were euthanatized. The other six subjects were more variable than on the previous day. Three subjects experienced additional emetic episodes. At 5 days, only two of the remaining four animals performed at any reasonable degree. It is unlikely that any animal could have performed on the sixth day. Originator-supplied keywords include: Performance decrement, Behavioral task, and Reaction time.