Final Results: Will Space Radiation Exposure Lead to Altered Risk-Taking Behavior

Poster #: 31
Session/Time: B
Author: Elliot Smits
Mentor: Richard Britten, Ph.D.
Co-Investigator(s): Richard Britten, Department of Radiation Oncology
Research Type: Clinical Research

Abstract

Introduction: Last year, I presented preliminary data from a study I have been conducting with Dr. Richard Britten entitled, "Will Space Radiation Exposure Lead to Altered Risk-Taking Behavior?" The Britten lab has previously demonstrated that space radiation (SR) exposure has a marked impact on executive functions related to cognitive flexibility [1]. This finding is significant because executive functions also regulate response inhibition, impulse control, processing and regulating effect, motivation, and arousal [2], all of which are crucial components when making decisions. Of particular interest is that in humans, risk behaviors demonstrated from decision-making tasks correlate with baseline risk propensities [3,4] and overall risk behaviors in real life [3,5,6]. These previous studies provide a strong foundation for our current research. Our study is breaking new ground in the field, as there is currently no information on how SR exposure will impact risk decision-making. The basis for this NASA grant-sponsored study was to evaluate whether the SR-induced loss of executive function performance is not just confined to cognitive functions but also impacts impulsivity and mood regulation.

Methods: Our research involved a rigorous process of training and assessing male and female Wistar rats in rodent risk decision-making touchscreen tasks. The rats were subsequently irradiated, and their post-exposure performance was meticulously assessed at one-month intervals for three months. The post-exposure performance at these times was contrasted to their pre-exposure performance status, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the effects of SR exposure on risk decision-making.

Results: I will include graphs of male and female performance after radiation and their reaction times when performing the task (I want to consult with Dr. Britten about which specific graphs we will include).

Conclusion: Dr. Britten and I are currently formulating our final thoughts about what can explain the male and female performance after radiation and their reaction times when performing the task. Our study's findings could have important implications for NASA's understanding of the effects of space radiation on decision-making and for the broader body of work on ground-based rodent studies assessing SR effects on executive function.