Development of a small-animal focal brain irradiation model to study radiation injury and radiation-injury modifiers. (August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hideghéty, Katalin; Plangár, Imola; Mán, Imola; Fekete, Gábor; Nagy, Zoltán; Volford, Gábor; Tőkés, Tünde; Szabó, Emilia; Szabó, Zoltán; Brinyiczki, Kitti; Mózes, Petra; Németh, István
• Is Part Of: International journal of radiation biology. Volume 89:Number 8(2013:Aug.)
• Page Start: 645
• Page End: 655
• Publication Date: 2013-08
• Subjects: Radiation -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Radiobiology -- Periodicals; 571.45
• DOI: 10.3109/09553002.2013.784424
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0955-3002

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Purpose:</italic> Our aim was to establish an effective small-animal focal brain radiation model for research on brain injuries.</p> <p> <italic>Material and methods:</italic> Groups of up to six rats were exposed to a range of doses from 120–40 Gy, at 10 intervals of a 6 MeV electron beam. Open-field motor functions and water maze learning-memory tests were performed after the irradiation at two-week intervals. Morphological changes were detected through repeated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) monthly and were compared with the histopathological findings to determine if they predicted late microscopic changes.</p> <p> <italic>Results:</italic> The development of necrosis proved to be dose-dependent. 120 Gy resulted in serious deterioration within 4 weeks in all rats. Localized necrosis in one hemisphere was detected 2 months after the irradiation with ≥ 70 Gy, and 3 months after 40–60 Gy consistent for all animals. The Morris water maze (MWM) tests proved to be the most sensitive tool for the early detection of a brain functional impairment. MRI screening provided useful information on the development of radiation necrosis, which defined the time point for histological examinations.</p> <p> <italic>Conclusions:</italic> The described method permits accurate dose delivery to a definite part in one hemisphere of the brain for six rats at a time. Following complex examinations, a dose of 40 Gy and a follow-up time of 4 months are proposed for investigations on neuroradiation modifiers.</p> </abstract>