The psychological consequences of (perceived) ionizing radiation exposure: a review on its role in radiation-induced cognitive dysfunction

Abstract

Purpose: Exposure to ionizing radiation following environmental contamination (e.g., the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear accidents), radiotherapy and diagnostics, occupational roles and space travel has been identified as a possible risk-factor for cognitive dysfunction. The deleterious effects of high doses (1.0 Gy) on cognitive functioning are fairly well-understood, while the consequences of low (0.1 Gy) and moderate doses (0.1-1.0 Gy) have been receiving more research interest over the past decade. In addition to any impact of actual exposure on cognitive functioning, the persistent psychological stress arising from perceived exposure, particularly following nuclear accidents, may itself impact cognitive functioning. In this review we offer a novel interdisciplinary stance on the cognitive impact of radiation exposure, considering psychological and epidemiological observations of different exposure scenarios such as atomic bombings, nuclear accidents, occupational and medical exposures while accounting for differences in dose, rate of exposure and exposure type. The purpose is to address the question that perceived radiation exposure -even where the actual absorbed dose is 0.0 Gy above background dose -can result in psychological stress, which could in turn lead to cognitive dysfunction. In addition, we highlight the interplay between the mechanisms of perceived exposure (i.e., stress) and actual exposure (i.e., radiation-induced cellular damage), in the generation of radiation-induced cognitive dysfunction. In all, we offer a comprehensive and objective review addressing the potential for cognitive defects in the context of low-and moderate-dose IR exposures. Conclusions: Overall the evidence shows prenatal exposure to low and moderate doses to be detrimental to brain development and subsequent cognitive functioning, however the evidence for adolescent and adult low-and moderate-dose exposure remains uncertain. The persistent psychological stress following accidental exposure to low-doses in adulthood may pose a greater threat to our cognitive functioning. Indeed, the psychological implications for instructed cohorts (e.g., astronauts and radiotherapy patients) is less clear and warrants further investigation. Nonetheless, the psychosocial consequences of low-and moderate-dose exposure must be carefully considered when evaluating radiation effects on cognitive functioning, and to avoid unnecessary harm when planning public health response strategies.

Risk of Developing Non-Cancerous Central Nervous System Diseases Due to Ionizing Radiation Exposure during Adulthood: Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses

“…However, there were few well-designed studies (i.e., evaluation of exposure, confounding factors) on mental health following the Chernobyl catastrophe. It appears very difficult to determine which part of mental health disorders is due to radiation directly, and which is due to the psychological consequence of having experienced such a disaster [ 90 ]. In a broader sense, when studying non-cancerous CNS diseases, such as cognitive disorders, many factors such as exposure time vulnerability, mechanism, and susceptibility factors are important to consider [ 11 ].…”

Characteristics of Cognitive Disorders in Prenatally Exposed Persons

“…Многие авторы указывают на то, что эмбрион (плод) является более радиочувствительным, чем новорожденный или взрослый, и в качестве возможных последствий антенатального облучения ГМ называют задержку роста, малый размер головы (мозга), умственную отсталость и пр. [4,5]. Другие отмечают, что наибольшей радиочувствительностью развивающийся ГМ обладает на 8-15-й и 16-25-й неделях внутриутробного развития в период формирования цитоархитектоники мозга и синаптогенеза [6].…”

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“…The psychologic stress we feel as adults as a result of weak dose coincidental exposure may be the best threat to our prefornance awareness. In fact, the psychologicl impacts with trined classified (e.g., rdiation therpy ptients) are less clear and require more research (Collett et al, 2020). The value of the changing became neerly agreement in animls irradiated to gamma rays and the symble RBE of the latter with due to embryo destruction verged 100/10 during this enhancement interval.…”