Low Dose Radiation of the Developing Brain

X-irradiation administered in single doses of 10 to 40 r has a widespread effect on the developing rat brain. It first diminishes the formation of cytoplasmic basophilic material in the nerve cells and inhibits their growth. Single doses of 20 to 40 r cause permanent alterations of individual nerve cells, and interfere with their organization into neuronal assemblies, such as layers of the cerebral cortex.