Pathophysiological Responses in Rat and Mouse Models of Radiation-Induced Brain Injury

Overview

Journal Mol Neurobiol

Specialties Molecular Biology
Neurology

Date 2016 Jan 23

PMID 26797684

Citations 54

Authors

Lianhong Yang

Jianhua Yang

Guoqian Li

Yi Li

Rong Wu

Jinping Cheng

Yamei Tang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The brain is the major dose-limiting organ in patients undergoing radiotherapy for assorted conditions. Radiation-induced brain injury is common and mainly occurs in patients receiving radiotherapy for malignant head and neck tumors, arteriovenous malformations, or lung cancer-derived brain metastases. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms of radiation-induced brain injury are largely unknown. Although many treatment strategies are employed for affected individuals, the effects remain suboptimal. Accordingly, animal models are extremely important for elucidating pathogenic radiation-associated mechanisms and for developing more efficacious therapies. So far, models employing various animal species with different radiation dosages and fractions have been introduced to investigate the prevention, mechanisms, early detection, and management of radiation-induced brain injury. However, these models all have limitations, and none are widely accepted. This review summarizes the animal models currently set forth for studies of radiation-induced brain injury, especially rat and mouse, as well as radiation dosages, dose fractionation, and secondary pathophysiological responses.

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