RE: brain function and vision

["Franta, Jaroslav" <frantaj@aecl.ca>]

Morgan,

this looks like an answer to your question...
jaro

> ----------
> From: 	Sackett, Greg[SMTP:gsackett@admin1.umaryland.edu]
> Reply To: 	radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
> Sent: 	Monday, November 15, 1999 8:54 AM
> To: 	Multiple recipients of list
> Subject: 	RE: brain function and vision
> 
> 	Responding to the list in case others are interested...
> 
> 	>While the brain is fairly radioresistant, does anyone have any
> insights into 
> 	>what brain functions might be impaired in individuals exposed to
> radiation 
> 	>similar to those exposed near the criticality accident in Japan?  I
> am 
> 	>thinking of multiple step and information processing, learning?  
> 
> 	Well I am certainly no expert, but I can tell you that my wife
> received over 6000 rads for a brain tumor using a linear accelerator, and
> she has not experienced any impairment other than hair loss.  This was a 3
> beam localized treatment so the whole brain was not irradiated as was done
> just a couple of years ago.  
> 
> > What about vision? Would any effects be expected?
> > 
> 	Vision is a concern for therapy doses, and they take special care to
> limit dose to the optic nerve.  This is one reason why the Gamma Knife was
> developed and is used for tumors close to the optic nerve and other tumors
> in sensitive areas.  At a dose of 1700 rem though, I would doubt that you
> would have this problem.  Cataracts will be of much greater concern I
> would
> imagine.
> 
> 	You may wish to contact a radiation oncologist for more detailed
> information.
> 
> 	Regards,
> 
> 	Greg
> 
> 
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