[The epileptiform reactions of the human brain to prolonged exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation]

Abstract

1125 inhabitants of Slavutich city where workers of the Chernobyl Atomic Power Station and their families live, have been electroencephalographically examined. The reasons for the medical check-up involved specific complaints of a headache, dizziness, nightmares, early waking up in the mornings and sometimes seizures. Disorders of the bioelectrical activity of paroxysmal nature were revealed in 286 cases (197 children of 3-17 years, 99 adults of 18-50 years). The epileptiform findings seem to be related to the ionising radiation. The latency for a high (single or repeated) dose may be short (or minimal), and for a long-term effect of small doses--3-6 years. The latency was more or less similar and depended on a number of biophysical factors for the majority of the examined inhabitants of Slavutich city: children as well as adults (including those who work at the Chernobyl Atomic Power Station).