Modeling the Survival Rate of a Heterogeneous Population of Neural Stem Cells in Response to Irradiation with 56Fe Particles

Modeling of neural stem cell (NSC) deficiency makes it possible to predict the development of cognitive impairment in response to heavy particle irradiation. However, existing mathematical models of NSC survival consider the population to be homogeneous, which affects the accuracy of simulation results. We have developed a mathematical model of heterogeneous NSC population survival, which is a system of ordinary differential equations. The survival rate of NSCs after irradiation with 56Fe particles at a dose of 1 Gy was calculated using the model. The model predicts two modes of NSC survival in response to radiation, differing in the rate of activation of the first division of quiescent neural stem cells. Further development of the model can help in assessing risks of cognitive impairment for people participating in interplanetary missions.