The effect of Wi-Fi electromagnetic waves on neuronal response properties in rat barrel cortex

Abstract

There is a growing number of studies on the possible biological effects of Wi-Fi radiations on nervous system. In this study we investigated the effect of Wi-Fi exposure on single neuron responses to natural stimuli by using whisker to barrel pathway. This study was done on 29 male Wistar rats. Neuronal spontaneous activity and ON and OFF responses to displacement of principal whisker (PW), adjacent whisker (AW) and combination of PW-AW stimulation (as natural stimuli) were recorded in barrel cortex of anaesthetised rats. A D-link Wi-Fi device was used for 1 h exposure to 2.4 GHz microwaves in data mode (18.2 dBm and 44% for power and duty cycle). A condition test ratio (CTR) was calculated for assessing neuronal integrative properties. Wi-Fi radiations decreased CTR for ON responses. However, neuronal spontaneous activity and ON and OFF responses were not significantly changed following exposure to Wi-Fi signals. The results of this study demonstrated that exposure to Wi-Fi radiation could modulate integrative responses to natural stimuli in barrel cortex.

Keywords:

• Electrophysiology
• barrel cortex
• Wi-Fi

Disclosure statement

We wish to confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome.

Additional information

Funding

This study was financially supported by vice chancellor of research and technology in Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences. We thank Dr. Hamid Hakimi for his assistance with English editing of the article.