The neurotoxic effects of radiation have been studied in NSC-34 hybrid cells derived from embryonic mouse spinal cord cells. NSC-34 cells irradiated at 25Gy were decreased the cell viability in a time and dose dependent manner. The decrease in cell viability induced by the irradiation was blocked by catalase. Antagonists of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, including D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV) and chlorokynurenic acid (CKA), similarly blocked radiational induced in cell viability. We performed morphological analysis of light and electron microscope. NSC-34 cells irradiated at 25Gy were decreased the cell density and increased lysosomes and vacuoles in the cytoplasm. Especially chromatin modification was observed. These results indicated that radiation was involved in the oxidant-initiated neurotoxicity and the compounds catalase, APV and CKA were shown to be neuroprotective against radiation.