Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Cognitive impairment and neurogenotoxic effects in rats exposed to low-intensity microwave radiation med./bio.

Published in: Int J Toxicol 2015; 34 (3): 284-290

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of a chronic exposure of rats to a 900, 1800 or 2450 MHz electromagnetic field on the cognitive function, stress response and DNA damage in the brain should be investigated.

Background/further details

24 rats were divided into 4 groups (n=6 each): 1) sham exposure, exposure to electromagnetic fields of 2) 900 MHz, 3) 1800 MHz and 4) 2450 MHz.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h/day, 5 days/week for 180 days
  • SAR: 0.5953 mW/kg
Exposure 2: 1,800 MHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h/day, 5 days/week for 180 days
  • SAR: 0.5853 mW/kg
Exposure 3: 2,450 MHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h/day, 5 days/week for 180 days
  • SAR: 0.6672 mW/kg

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 2 h/day, 5 days/week for 180 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 100 cm
Chamber rats were restrained in closed boxes of 30 x 15 x 20 cm (l x b x h) divided into 4 compartments with few holes of 1 cm diameter
Setup 6 animals at a time were exposed in GTEM cell of 220 x 120 x 80 cm (l x b x h); microwave chamber was lined with absorbers to minimize reflections; spectrum analyzer was used to ensure the uniformity of the field strength; GTEM cell was placed in a temperature-controlled room (22°C ± 2°C)
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 0.5953 mW/kg - calculated - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 1,800 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 2 h/day, 5 days/week for 180 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 0.5853 mW/kg - calculated - -

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 2,450 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 2 h/day, 5 days/week for 180 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 0.6672 mW/kg - calculated - -

Reference articles

  • Ardoino L et al. (2005): A radio-frequency system for in vivo pilot experiments aimed at the studies on biological effects of electromagnetic fields

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • before exposure
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Rats of all exposure groups (2-4) showed a significant different behavior in all parameters of the elevated plus maze and Morris water maze compared to the sham exposure, indicating impaired learning, memory and spatial memory.
The level of heat shock protein 70 was significantly increased in all exposure groups compared to the sham exposure, indicating an increased stress response in the brain.
The comet assay revealed significantly more DNA damage in the brain in all exposure groups compared to the sham exposure.
The authors conclude that a chronic exposure of rats to a 900, 1800 or 2450 MHz electromagnetic field might have a harmful effect on the brain.

Study character:

Study funded by

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