Brain Stem Cells Sensitive To Space Radiation

Measures to protect astronauts from health risks caused by space radiation will be important during extended missions to the moon or Mars, say researchers in a paper currently online in Experimental Neurology. Using a mouse model designed to reveal even slight changes in brain cell populations, scientists found radiation appeared to target a type of stem cell in an area of the brain believed to be important for learning and mood control. [click link for full article]

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Filed under: Neurology / Neuroscience on December 15th, 2007