Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Acute exposure to a 50 Hz magnetic field impairs consolidation of spatial memory in rats med./bio.

Published in: Neurobiol Learn Mem 2007; 88 (4): 387-392

Aim of study (acc. to author)

This in vivo study was designed to examine the effect of magnetic field exposure on spatial memory consolidation in rats.

Background/further details

Adult male rats (3-4 months old, 235 +/- 15 grammes) were either exposed for 20 minutes before or after training on spatial memory consolidation and after training of the cued water maze. The rats were trained in eight sessions for spatial memory consolidation to locate a submerged platform in a circular water maze. For training in the cued task a black- and white-striped ball was mounted on the platform and the time recorded the rats needed to reach the platform.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 20 min

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 20 min
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup 2 cm thick coil with an inner diameter of 8 cm, an outer diameterr of 12 cm and 850 turns of 0.75 mm copper wire; rats fixed in cotton pouchs so that the head of the rat was in the center of the coil
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 2 mT - measured - -
magnetic flux density 8 mT - measured - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The exposure to a 50 Hz 8 mT magnetic field, but not 2 mT magnetic field immediately after training on spatial memory consolidation impaired the time spent in the target quadrant where the platform was located.
This result indicates that the magnetic field exerts influence on the spatial memory consolidation in rats.

Study character:

Study funded by

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