Our results suggest that: (1) increased ADK expression is associated with astrogliosis in the irradiated brain; ADK-induced adenosine deficiency in turn may contribute to the radiation-induced neuropathology, and (2) chronic upregulation of ADK in the irradiated brain can be prevented by the transient prophylactic administration of an ADK inhibitor; this finding is in line with a lack of radiation-induced cognitive impairments. The gene discussed is ADK; the disease is Cognitive impairment.