Epigenetic determinants of space radiation-induced cognitive dysfunction

Epigenetic determinants of space radiation-induced cognitive dysfunction

Among the dangers to astronauts engaging in deep space missions such as a Mars expedition is exposure to radiations that put them at risk for severe cognitive dysfunction. These radiation-induced cognitive impairments are accompanied by functional and structural changes including oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and degradation of neuronal architecture. The molecular mechanisms that dictate...

Radiation- induced cognitive impairments

Introduction: Ionizing radiation is non-surgical treatment of brain tumors and metastases. Preclinical studies have showed main insights into harmful effects of radiation on the nervous system in vivo and in vitro. Cognitive impairment such as progressive memory, executive and attention performance deficits indicates a significant risk for patients experiencing conventional rad...

Epigenetic memory of space radiation exposure

Human neural stem cell transplantation ameliorates radiation-induced cognitive dysfunction.

Cranial radiotherapy induces progressive and debilitating declines in cognition that may, in part, be caused by the depletion of neural stem cells. The potential of using stem cell replacement as a strategy to combat radiation-induced cognitive decline was addressed by irradiating athymic nude rats followed 2 days later by intrahippocampal transplantation with human neural stem cells (hNSC). Me...

Adenosine Kinase Inhibition Protects against Cranial Radiation-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction

Clinical radiation therapy for the treatment of CNS cancers leads to unintended and debilitating impairments in cognition. Radiation-induced cognitive dysfunction is long lasting; however, the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms are still not well established. Since ionizing radiation causes microglial and astroglial activation, we hypothesized that maladaptive changes in astrocyte fun...