Effect of 1.8 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on novel object associative recognition memory in mice.
Wang K, Lu JM, Xing ZH, Zhao QR, Hu LQ, Xue L, Zhang J, Mei YA · 2017
View Original AbstractA single 30-minute exposure to 1.8 GHz RF-EMR at above 2.2 W/kg significantly increased recognition memory in mice.
Plain English Summary
Researchers examined the effects of a single 30-minute exposure to 1.8 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on recognition memory in mice, using the novel object recognition task. Exposure at an intensity above 2.2 W/kg SAR produced a significant, density-dependent increase in the recognition memory index, with no corresponding changes in spontaneous locomotor activity. The researchers also found that exposure increased dendritic-spine density and length in hippocampal and prefrontal cortical neurons, and significantly altered neuronal excitability in pyramidal neurons. The SAR used in the study was 3.3 W/kg, which the researchers noted was outside the range encountered in normal daily life.
Why This Matters
The study used the novel object recognition task to measure recognition memory, alongside measures of locomotor activity to check whether any memory changes could be explained by differences in movement. Beyond behavior, the researchers looked at physical changes in neurons, finding increased dendritic-spine density and length in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Electrical recordings from brain slices showed that exposure significantly altered resting membrane potential, action potential frequency, half-width, threshold, and onset delay in pyramidal neurons. The researchers noted that whether these findings could have relevance as a potential therapeutic approach for disorders associated with recognition memory deficits remains to be clarified.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 1.98–3.30 W/kg
- Source/Device
- 1.8 GHz
- Exposure Duration
- 30 min
Exposure Context
This study used 1.98–3.30 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):
- 4.9x above the Building Biology guideline of 0.4 W/kg
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 examined the effects of single exposure to 1.8 GHz RF-EMR for 30 min on subsequent recognition memory in mice, using the novel object recognition task (NORT).
RF-EMR exposure at an intensity of >2.2 W/kg specific absorption rate (SAR) power density induced a ...
These results demonstrate that exposure to 1.8 GHz RF-EMR for 30 min can significantly increase recognition memory in mice, and can change dendritic-spine morphology and neuronal excitability in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. The SAR in this study (3.3 W/kg) was outside the range encountered in normal daily life, and its relevance as a potential therapeutic approach for disorders associated with recognition memory deficits remains to be clarified.
Show BibTeX
@article{k_2017_effect_of_18_ghz_200,
author = {Wang K and Lu JM and Xing ZH and Zhao QR and Hu LQ and Xue L and Zhang J and Mei YA},
title = {Effect of 1.8 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on novel object associative recognition memory in mice.},
year = {2017},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/srep44521},
}