High levels of ionizing radiation come from multiple tests using medical devices such as for CT scanning and it may also come from frequent air travel. The assessment of that risk may come as a surprise to many but talk to your doctor before you unilaterally decide to change any plans for testing s/he may have scheduled. (Science Daily: Concern that radiation may contribute to development of Alzheimer's)
Large numbers of people of all age groups are increasingly exposed to ionizing radiation from various sources. Many receive chronic occupational exposure from nuclear technologies or airline travel. The use of medical diagnostics and therapeutic radiology has increased rapidly -- for example more than 62 million CT scans per year are currently carried out in USA.
Approximately one third of all diagnostic CT examinations are scans of the head region.
In their new study, the researchers have elucidated molecular alterations in the hippocampus of mice. The hippocampus is an important brain region responsible for learning and memory formation and it is known to be negatively affected in Alzheimer´s.
The authors induced changes in the hippocampus by two kinds of chronic low-dose-rate ionizing radiation treatments. The mice were exposed to cumulative doses of 0.3 Gy or 6.0 Gy given at low dose rates of 1 mGy over 24 hours or 20 mGy over 24 hours for 300 days.
"Both dose rates are capable of inducing molecular features that are reminiscent of those found in the Alzheimer's disease neuropathology," says Stefan J. Kempf.
"When you compare these figures you will find that we exposed the mice to a more than 1000 times smaller cumulative dose than what a patient gets from a single CT scan in the same time interval. And even then we could see changes in the synapses within the hippocampus that resemble Alzheimer´s pathology."
According to Stefan J. Kempf, the data indicate that chronic low-dose-rate radiation targets the integration of newborn neurons in existing synaptic wires.
Large numbers of people of all age groups are increasingly exposed to ionizing radiation from various sources. Many receive chronic occupational exposure from nuclear technologies or airline travel. The use of medical diagnostics and therapeutic radiology has increased rapidly -- for example more than 62 million CT scans per year are currently carried out in USA.
Approximately one third of all diagnostic CT examinations are scans of the head region.
- Science Daily
The reason for concern regarding the levels of exposure to ionizing radiation comes from their observations of symptoms similar to Alzheimer's Disease in the brains of mice after they were exposed to low levels of such radiation.
Regrettably, this is not one of the more cheery items of scientific revelation but primary in reading of it is Do Not Panic. In my life and particularly over recent years, I've had many, many CT scans, MRI scans, etc, etc. Thus far I have not developed Huckleberry Finn's brain fever and it has not started melting.
Note: you may remember Huckleberry Finn developed brain fever after he nicked some butter and hid it under his hat in the Summer time.
(Ed: was that supposed to be evidence you do not have Alzheimer's Disease?)
Best I've got for the moment so, again, Do Not Panic.
The authors induced changes in the hippocampus by two kinds of chronic low-dose-rate ionizing radiation treatments. The mice were exposed to cumulative doses of 0.3 Gy or 6.0 Gy given at low dose rates of 1 mGy over 24 hours or 20 mGy over 24 hours for 300 days.
"Both dose rates are capable of inducing molecular features that are reminiscent of those found in the Alzheimer's disease neuropathology," says Stefan J. Kempf.
- Science Daily
There you see the physical consideration and the exposures the mice received were much lower than are typically received in a single CT scan. The fact I have not succumbed to Huck's brain fever after many such examinations does not obviate their science but it does tell you, again, to talk to your doctor before reacting in any way. I am not a doctor and you know already how easy it is to play one on TV or the Internet. Follow this up only with someone with the accreditation to give you answers of any real value.
When a patient gets a head scan, the doses varies between 20 and 100 mGy and lasts for around one minute. When a person flies, he or she gets exposure to ionizing radiation coming from space but the rates are by far smaller than a CT scan.
"When you compare these figures you will find that we exposed the mice to a more than 1000 times smaller cumulative dose than what a patient gets from a single CT scan in the same time interval. And even then we could see changes in the synapses within the hippocampus that resemble Alzheimer´s pathology."
According to Stefan J. Kempf, the data indicate that chronic low-dose-rate radiation targets the integration of newborn neurons in existing synaptic wires.
- Science Daily
You may see plenty of basis for a fear factor but this is not presented to elicit fear as instead there is the belief information is strength. Using it improperly is what leads to the fear factor. For my own life, I will bring this information to my doctor with the question, well, I've had a lot of these so what do you think.
There's no clever extension on this one because anything of that nature may lead to the thinking I know more than I really do. Therefore, concerning as the report may be, this is where I will leave it and with the consideration I will talk to my doctor regarding exposure in my own life and I recommend you do the same.
(Ed: you're just blowing out sunshine like it's a Midwest tornado, aren't you!)
The mantra remains the same, information is strength.
I rest my case. Good luck out there and please do try to be sensible with this (i.e. non-Facebook) since we don't need any more hysterical anti-vaxxers pretending medical awareness.
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