Further Observations on Abnormal Brain Development Caused by Prenatal A-bomb Exposure to Ionizing Radiation

Abstract

The pervasiveness of abnormal brain development caused by prenatal exposure to ionizing radiation is still largely unknown. The relationship between A-bomb radiation dose and two measures of neuromuscular performance, one of grip strength and the other of the fine motor coordination required in repetitive action, is described. A multivariate analysis of covariance was used to evaluate the effect of several covariates, such as prenatal radiation exposure and some physical measurements or IQ, adding city and sex as categorical factors. When mentally retarded cases were included, a statistically significant effect of radiation exposure on the grip strength and repetitive-action test scores was seen in the 8–15-week postovulation period, and a statistically suggestive effect at 16–25 weeks postovulation. No effect of radiation exposure on the two test scores was noted for prenatal exposure in either of the aforementioned periods when mentally retarded cases were excluded, but a statistically significant diminution of IQ was noted for exposures ≥ 16 weeks postovulation. We discuss, from the biological perspective, the projected standard scores for exposures ≥ 16 weeks postovulation, and the possibility of lower IQ, small head and mild mental retardation related to radiation exposures ≤ 15 weeks postovulation with mentally retarded cases excluded.