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Prenatal and early postnatal exposure to radiofrequency waves (900 MHz) adversely affects passive avoidance learning and memory

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Azimzadeh M, Jelodar G Prenatal and early postnatal exposure to radiofrequency waves (900 MHz) adversely affects passive avoidance learning and memory · 2020

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All exposed subgroups showed impaired passive avoidance learning and memory, the prenatal group was most affected, and a mild decrease in hippocampal pyramidal cell density was observed in exposed subgroups I and III.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats and their pups to 900 MHz radiofrequency waves from a base transceiver station antenna during gestation or the first 21 days after birth for 2 h/d or 4 h/d. Passive avoidance learning and memory were assessed in 45-day-old pups with a shuttle box, and hippocampal histomorphology was examined. All exposed subgroups showed impaired passive avoidance learning and memory, the prenatal exposure group had the greatest deficit, and a mild decrease in pyramidal cell density was seen in exposed subgroups I and III.

Why This Matters

The authors state that prenatal and early postnatal periods are the most sensitive and high-risk times for electromagnetic field exposure. Mated rats were confirmed by a vaginal plug and then allocated to control or exposed groups. The control group of seven rats received no radiofrequency exposure.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Azimzadeh M, Jelodar G Prenatal and early postnatal exposure to radiofrequency waves (900 MHz) adversely affects passive avoidance learning and memory (2020). Prenatal and early postnatal exposure to radiofrequency waves (900 MHz) adversely affects passive avoidance learning and memory.
Show BibTeX
@article{azimzadeh_m_jelodar_g_prenatal_and_early_postnatal_exposure_to_radiofrequency_waves_900_mhz_adversely_affects_passive_avoidance_learning_and_memory_ce3148,
  author = {Azimzadeh M and Jelodar G Prenatal and early postnatal exposure to radiofrequency waves (900 MHz) adversely affects passive avoidance learning and memory},
  title = {Prenatal and early postnatal exposure to radiofrequency waves (900 MHz) adversely affects passive avoidance learning and memory},
  year = {2020},
  doi = {10.1177/0748233720973143},
  
}
DOI: 10.1177/0748233720973143PubMed: 33200679

Quick Questions About This Study

Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats and their pups were exposed to 900 MHz radiofrequency waves from a base transceiver station antenna during gestation or the first 21 days after birth for 2 h/d or 4 h/d. The control group comprised 7 rats and each exposed subgroup comprised 8 rats.
Passive avoidance learning and memory were evaluated in 45-day-old pups using a shuttle box, measuring the time the animals remained in the light compartment.
All exposed subgroups showed impaired passive avoidance learning and memory, with the prenatal exposure group exhibiting the greatest deficit.
A mild decrease in pyramidal cell density was observed in the hippocampus of exposed subgroups I and III.
The authors concluded that prenatal and early postnatal exposure to 900 MHz RFW adversely affected PALM performance and hippocampal tissue, with a larger impact from prenatal exposure.