We offer to your attention a preprint entitled “Mathematical modeling of radiation-induced effects in central nervous system structures following exposure to heavy accelerated charged particles” P11-2024-49, issued by the JINR Publishing Department. The authors are Batmunkh Munkhbaatar, Bayarchimeg Lkhagvaa, and Aleksаnder Bugay, employees of the Laboratory of Radiation Biology at JINR. The data obtained can be used for further analysis radiation risks during interplanetary missions, evaluating the side effects of hadron therapy.

Modelling scheme of the random distribution of structural elements in the dendrites of a neuron: (a) the model of NMDA glutamate receptor is represented by atoms with van der Waals radii in four subunits (shown in different colours); b) a model of a dendritic spine consisting of two compartments of a neuron’s dendrite (shown in different colours); b) a model of the dendritic spine, consisting of two compartments of the head (with receptors) and neck; c) a segment of a dendritic branch with spines that are located randomly on dendrites; d) in silico model of a single neuron: the cell body (green) and dendrites (dark blue) with spines and synaptic receptors distributed on them are modelled

Theoretical research is presented on the basic mechanisms of action of accelerated heavy charged particles on the structures of the central nervous system, taking into account their complex geometry. Analysis was conducted on the spatial distribution patterns of absorbed dose and the probability of particle hits in various parts of a cell (body, axon, dendrites, spines) following exposure to charged particles — from protons to iron ions with the energy ranging from 10 to 1000 MeV/nucleon.

Mechanisms of the formation of both direct and indirect molecular damage in the genetic apparatus and synapses of neurons were considered, involving physical processes that lead to bond breakage as well as chemical reactions with products of water radiolysis.

Key modeling parameters necessary for verifying the calculations against experimental results are also discussed.

The research was conducted at the Laboratory of Radiation Biology, JINR.

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