Restraint-240 mice were exposed to 50 or 200 cGy of gamma radiation (44.5 ± 0.1 cGy/min) as indicated. Spontaneous locomotor activity and velocity of movement were measured at the time points indicated post irradiation. Results are expressed as means ± s.e.m.; n = 8–16. (A) Distance moved (cm): main effects of dose (P = 0.004) and time point (P < 0.001), dose-time point interaction (P = 0.036); 4 h time point: P ≤ 0.05, sham IR + restraint-240 v. 200 cGy + restraint-240 (1559.1 ± 111.5 v. 1955.8 ± 188.1), 50 cGy + restraint-240 v. 200 cGy + restraint-240 (1457.3 ± 85.6 v. 1955.8 ± 188.1); 6 h time point: P < 0.05, sham IR + restraint-240 v. 50 cGy + restraint-240 (1592.9 ± 101.8 v. 1127.7 ± 82.0), 50 cGy + restraint-240 v. 200 cGy + restraint-240 (1127.7 ± 82.0 v. 1743.9 ± 151.2). (B) Velocity of movement (cm/s): main effects of dose (P =0.003) and time point (P < 0.001), dose-time point interaction (P = 0.013); 4h time point: P < 0.05, sham IR + restraint-240 v. 200 cGy + restraint-240 (5.2 ± 0.4 v. 7.0 ± 0.5), 50 cGy + restraint-240 v. 200 cGy + restraint-240 (4.9 ± 0.3 v. 7.0 ± 0.5); 6 h time point: P < 0.05, sham IR + restraint-240 v. 50 cGy + restraint-240 (5.4 ± 0.4 v. 3.8 ± 0.3), 50 cGy + restraint-240 v. 200 cGy + restraint-240 (3.8 ± 0.3 v. 5.9 ±0.5). Bars without a common superscript are different (P < 0.05).