Combined Gamma-Rays and Carbon-12 Nuclei Irradiation Modulates Brain Chemokine and Cytokine Production and Improves Spatial Learning in Tau P301S, but not 5xFAD Mouse Line

Earlier we showed the pro-cognitive effect of low doses of combined irradiation (including heavy charged particles) on Wistar rats. In the present work we studied the effect of irradiation (gamma-rays, 0.24 Gy; carbon-12, 0.18 Gy, 400 MeV/nucleon) on the course of neurodegenerative process using Tau P301S and 5xFAD transgenic mice lines, experimental models of Alzheimer’s disease. Irradiation led to an increase in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, KC) in Tau P301S mice, but not in 5xFAD. At the same time, only the Tau P301S line was found to exhibit radiation-induced improvement in spatial learning.