Research with the Primate Equilibrium Platform in a Radiation Environment

摘要

A revised Primate Equilibrium Platform (PEP II) was designed and constructed to further investigate the effects of pulsed ionizing radiation on the equilibrium function. Twenty rhesus monkeys were trained to maintain a platform-horizontal position by the manipulation of a 'joy stick.' Thirteen of the primates received an approximate midhead dose of 1,000 rads, and 6 received an approximate midhead dose of 2,500 rads. One animal was omitted from the final results owing to a technical problem. After irradiation, 13 animals were tested for 1 hour and the remaining 6 animals were tested for 3 hours, as these were actually two separate experiments 4 months apart. The major dependent variable was the time spent on 'horizontal' per trial. Results demonstrated a definitive dose-level effect in the occurrence of early performance decrement. The operational significance of this finding, as well as the recovery phenomenon seen in all cases, indicates the importance of continued research in this area. (Author)