Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Whole-body exposure to 2.45 GHz electromagnetic fields does not alter 12-arm radial-maze with reduced access to spatial cues in rats med./bio.

By: Cosquer B, Kuster N, Cassel JC

Published in: Behav Brain Res 2005; 161 (2): 331-334

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Lai et al. (see publication 109) reported that irradiation of rats to pulsed 2.45 GHz microwaves altered maze performance (the maze was bordered by 20 cm high opaque walls). Using a maze test based on unrestrained access to spatial cues (no walls), the authors could not replicate this result [see publication 10830).
In the present study, the authors attempted another replication using a maze apparatus bordered by 30 cm high opaque walls (furthermore, the rats were not injected before exposure).

Endpoint

cognitive/behavioral endpoints: memory

Exposure

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 2.45 GHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 45 min	SAR: 600 µW/g mean (whole body)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	2.45 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Charakteristic	guided field
Exposure duration	continuous for 45 min

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Pulse width	2 µs
Repetition frequency	500 Hz

Exposure setup

Exposure source	radial waveguide
Chamber	Exposure area: 280 cm x 360 cm
Setup	Rats were exposed individually in their cages (42 cm x 26 cm x 15 cm) which were placed in the waveguide
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	600 µW/g	mean	measured and calculated	whole body	-

Measurement and calculation details

SAR was determined both experimentally and numerically by using FDTD method and by measuring the field distributation inside the waveguide with DASY4 near field scanners.

Reference articles

Cassel JC et al. (2004): Whole-body exposure to 2.45 GHz electromagnetic fields does not alter radial-maze performance in rats

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

cognitive/behavioral endpoints: working memory, spatial memory task (radial arm maze; error rate (reentry into arms already visited))

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Performance of irradiated rats was normal. These data show that microwave exposure as used herein does not alter spatial working memory, when access to spatial cues is reduced.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
Short communication

Study funded by

GSM Association, UK/Ireland
Mobile Manufacturers Forum (MMF), Belgium

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Cassel JC et al. (2004): Whole-body exposure to 2.45 GHz electromagnetic fields does not alter radial-maze performance in rats