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. FY 72 Subtask Proposal for DASA Nuclear Weapons Effects *&$dmI Research Project Functional Effects of Ionizing fia di ation on the Central Nervous System i n Man COMPLETE SUBTASK NUVSER AND TITLE RMD I . I53 Funct iona I effects of ionizing radiation on the central nervous system i n man, FY 72 AGENCY HAVItdG TECHNICAL SUPERVISION Walter Reed General Hospital, Department o f Rad ioI ogyb- ' AGENCY PERFOFC4ING WORK Behavioral Science Lab, Radiation Therapy Project Of fi cer-H i story FY 70 and 71 John G. Maier, COL., MC Rad ia tion Therapy Serv ice Funding prior to FY 66 ' None ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE 30 June 1971 applied to eva lua ling the effects of ionizing radiation on the central nervous system of animals both in tabulating morphologic changes and evaluating circumstances o f exposure which cause partial or complete incapacitation or various degrees of perInjury is available, no valid study has been made i n humans t o Extensive efforts have been Although considerable human data on radiation
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correlate degrees of performance decrement with the central nervous system irradiation in various combinations of dose, time, and volume of the CNS irradiated. Measurement of the degree of incapacitation after such irradiation has been necessarily limited to experimental animals. Furthermore, no reliable cross species applicability has been defined whereby reasonable extrapolstion of animal data to man can be accomplished to estimate degrees of incapacitation as related to different exposure factors. The study proposed herein is expected to provide the missing human data as well as some parameters of cross species applicability for more meaningful extrapolation of animal data to man. Useful new information regarding the 4-herapy of radiation injury should also become available as a result of this BRIEF OF PROPOSED OBJECTIVES a. Technical Objectives. The current objectives are to complete data collection and analyze experiments designed to assess what effects different amounts of ionizing radiation have on human central nervous different levels of ionizing radiation deposited in the central nervous system on human performance capacities as simple and complex decision making, memory, neuro-muscular coordination, reflex time, muscle strength, personality (anxiety, depression, and hostility), Specifically, to determine the influence of b. Approach. The approach to be used has been spelled out in considerable detail in a progress report submitted to DASA Headquerters (19 February 1968). A battery of objective tests will be administered before; during, and after exposure to varying doses of ionizing radiation to the central nervous system. These tests were designed to provide information on possible changes in motivation, efficiency In higher mental functioning, muscle strength, personality (anxiety, depression, and hostility) and time perspective. take approximately two hours to administer and the results will be correlated with specified amounts of radiation absorbed in different areas o f the central nervous system over time. The Visual-Tactile Concept Information System will provide measures of efficiency in decision making on simple and complex tasks. Objective measures will include number of errors to solution, time to solution, and quickness to decisions. The irradiated subjects will be selected In accordance with the following criteria: under 50 years of age, minimum of ninth grade education, no brain damage, no psychoses, no previous irradiation treatment, Stage I or I I or A and 6 of the dlsease, except for Hodgkin’s (no Stage IIBI. The tests will In the Initial phases of the project 40 irradiated patients w i I I participate in a 4X2X7 repeated measures design which includes
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4 irradiated areas (brain only, spinal cord only, brain and spinal cord, and no central nervous system irradiation; -2 sex groups; L,. points in time for taking performance measures, i.e., 1. pre-exposure (sham irradiation), 3 during exposure (after initial treatment, middle of treatment,-and end of treatment) and -3 post exposure PROGRESS TO DATE One brain irrgdiated subject is currently being evaluated and another six have been completed. of 12 subjects with spinal irradiation, I I are completed. We are attempting to get a total of IO brain irradiated subjects for statistical analyses. We are currently attempting to obtain IO subjects for the third control group who are undergoing irradiation ' but the central nervous system i s not in the field. Out of the total Attempts are also being made to coordinate with the research program at National Institutes of Health Radiation Therapy Service Po test patients receiving whole body irradiation. , Our preliminary results of the work in progress were reported a t the DASA Semiannual Medical Coordination Conference 18, 19 A f 1 Im is currently underway at no cost to DASA that describes the research project. The script is at its final stages and filming has been completed. FUTURE PLANS To finish data collection, analysis and submit the final report by 30 June 1971.