Does whole body exposure to GSM-950 MHz electromagnetic fields affect acquisition and consolidation of spatial information in rats?

ABSTRACT

This study was planned to examine the effects of whole-body exposure to GSM-950 MHz electromagnetic fields [EMFs] on acquisition and consolidation of spatial memory in rats using a water maze task. In experiment 1, the animals were given two blocks of five trials per day for three consecutive days in a water maze task. The interval between blocks was 4h. Before each training session, the animals were exposed to 950 MHz EMFs for 45 min with lower-[0.835 mW/cm[2]] or higher-power [1.166 mW/cm[2]] densities. In experiment 2, the animals were given two blocks of 5 trials with a 3 min interval between blocks. Immediately after the last trial, they were exposed to EMFs for 45 min with lower-or higher-power densities. In both experiments, 48 h after the last training day a 60 s probe test was done. Results from experiment1 [pre-training exposure to EMFs] indicated no significant differences in performances of exposed and non-exposed groups either during acquisition [learning] or during probe test [memory retention]. Results from experiment 2 [post training exposure to EMFs] also indicated no significant differences among groups during acquisition or probe test. In these experiments, no effect of exposure to 950 MHz on acquisition or consolidation of spatial navigation of rats in a water maze was detected