Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of radiofrequency exposure on the GABAergic system in the rat cerebellum: clues from semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry med./bio.

Published in: Brain Res 2001; 912 (1): 33-46

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of exposure to 900 MHz on neurotransmitters of rats. The effects of two different types of emission on the cerebellar GABA content are investigated.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h
  • SAR: 4 W/kg average over mass (brain)
Exposure 2: 900 MHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h
  • SAR: 32 W/kg average over mass (brain)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 2 h
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Pulse width 576 µs
Repetition frequency 217 Hz
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup Rats were held in specific Plexiglas holders and RF exposed by individual loop antennas fixed on the Plexiglas above their heads and connected to a power amplifier.
Additional info For each experiment two groups of rats were either RF exposed or sham exposed in separate anechoic chambers.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 4 W/kg average over mass measured and calculated brain -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 2 h
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 32 W/kg average over mass measured and calculated brain -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The authors observed a selective diminution of the stained area in the Purkinje cell layer after exposure to pulsed radiofrequency and, in addition, a decrease in optical density in the three cell layers after exposure to continuous wave (CW). Whether this effect is due to a local heating of the tissues is not known. It appears that high energetic radiofrequency exposure induces a diminution in cellular GABA content in the cerebellum.

Study character:

Study funded by

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