Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Actions of pulsed ultra-broadband electromagnetic irradiation on the EEG and sleep in laboratory animals med./bio.

By: Petrova EV, Gulyaeva NV, Titarov SI, Rozhnov YV, Kovalzon VM

Published in: Neurosci Behav Physiol 2005; 35 (2): 165-170

Aim of study (acc. to author)

This study was designed to examine the effects of radio frequency electromagnetic fields on the functional state of the brain in laboratory animals in vivo.

Background/further details

The brain activity was compared concerning baseline, response to sound, response to electromagnetic irradiation at an impulse repetition frequency of 6 Hz corresponding to EEG theta waves, and response to co-exposure (sound plus electromagnetic irradiation) in the right and left hemispheres of twenty-eight rats (180-210 and 310-360 grams). EEG during sleep was investigated in eight male adult rabbits using defined EEG and EMG criteria charcterizing "slow" sleep and "paradoxical" sleep.

Endpoint

effects on the neurological system: functional state of the brain

Exposure

- UWB/WB

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 6 Hz–1 GHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 1 h	electric field strength: 130 V/cm (100-130 V/cm)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	6 Hz–1 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Waveform	pulsed
Exposure duration	continuous for 1 h

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Pulse width	1 ns
Repetition frequency	6 Hz
Additional info	pulse width 1-2 ns

Exposure setup

Exposure source	parabolic antenna
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	1 m
Setup	Animals were placed in individual plastic or wooden cages located one meter from the antenna.
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info	Controls consisted of animals similarly placed in front of the antenna but without irradiation.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
electric field strength	130 V/cm	-	-	-	100-130 V/cm

Exposed system:

animal
rats/Wistar, rabbit/chinchilla
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on the neurological system: effects on cerebral activity (EEG)
sleep: EEG of the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and olfactory bulb; EMG of neck muscles
rectal temperature (electric thermometer)

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

brain/CNS

Time of investigation:

before exposure
during exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

A suppression of frequencies close to the impulse repetition frequency of 6 Hz, along with a decrease in interhemisphere coherence was observed in rats.
Continuous recording of sleep for 22 hours from rabbits after irradiation revealed a significant increase in "paradoxical" sleep not until 16 hours after the end of electromagnetic irradiation.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

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