Alterations of cognitive function and 5-HT system in rats after long term microwave exposure.
Li H, Peng R, Wang C, Qiao S, Yong-Zou, Gao Y, Xu X, Wang S, Dong J, Zuo H, Li-Zhao, Zhou H, Wang L, Hu X. · 2014
View Original AbstractChronic microwave exposure at 2.856 GHz produced dose-dependent spatial learning and memory deficits in rats, with elevated serotonin levels identified as a key long-term change.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed Wistar rats to 2.856 GHz microwaves at power densities of 5, 10, 20, or 30 mW/cm2 for 6 minutes three times a week for up to 6 weeks. Spatial learning and memory, hippocampus structure, brain electrical activity, and neurotransmitter levels were assessed at different time points after the last exposure. The study found dose-dependent memory deficits alongside inhibition of brain electrical activity, hippocampus neuron degeneration, and neurotransmitter disturbances. The researchers suggested that the serotonin system may be involved in the cognitive deficits seen after long-term microwave exposure.
Why This Matters
The study included both exposed and sham-exposed rat groups, allowing comparison between rats that received microwave radiation and those that did not. Power densities of 5, 10, 20 and 30 mW/cm2 were tested, and the memory deficits observed followed a dose-dependent pattern. Among the neurotransmitter changes, an increase in serotonin (5-HT) was identified as the main long-term change, and a decrease in its metabolism partly contributed to that increase. To investigate the serotonin system further, researchers measured two enzymes involved in serotonin synthesis and breakdown, as well as the expression of several serotonin receptors. Changes in the expression of serotonin receptors 5-HT1AR and 5-HT2CR were also indicated by the results.
Exposure Details
- Power Density
- 5,10,20,30 mW/cm²
- Source/Device
- 2.856 GHz
- Exposure Duration
- continuous for 6 min. 3 times/week for 6 weeks
Exposure Context
This study used 5,10,20,30 mW/cm² for radio frequency:
- 500Mx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.1 μW/m²
- 8.3Mx above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 0.0006 μW/cm²
Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.
Where This Falls on the Concern Scale
Study Details
In this study, we focused on the serotonin system and evaluated the long term effects of chronic microwave radiation on cognition and correlated items.
Wistar rats were exposed or sham exposed to 2.856 GHz microwaves with the average power density of 5...
We demonstrated that chronic exposure to microwave (2.856 GHz, with the average power density of 5, ...
The results suggested that in the long-term way, chronic microwave exposure could induce cognitive deficit and 5-HT system may be involved in it.
Show BibTeX
@article{h_2014_alterations_of_cognitive_function_124,
author = {Li H and Peng R and Wang C and Qiao S and Yong-Zou and Gao Y and Xu X and Wang S and Dong J and Zuo H and Li-Zhao and Zhou H and Wang L and Hu X.},
title = {Alterations of cognitive function and 5-HT system in rats after long term microwave exposure.},
year = {2014},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0031938414006635},
}