Abstract
Primary objective: This study was carried out to investigate the behavioural effects of sub-chronic and chronic head-only exposure to 900 MHz GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) in male rats.
Methods: Rats were exposed for 45 minutes per day, at a brain-averaged specific absorption rate (SAR) = 1.5 W Kg−1or 15 minutes per day at a SAR = 6 W Kg−1, during 8 or 24 weeks. Then, their spatial memory was tested using the radial-arm maze. In the first phase (10 days), rats were trained to visit the eight arms of the maze without returning to an arm already visited. In the second phase (8 days), a 45-minute intra-trial delay was introduced after four visited arms.
Results: Performance of exposed rats (1.5 or 6 W Kg−1) was compared with that of sham, negative control and positive control rats. Scopolamine treatment in the positive control rats induced deficit in spatial memory task in the second phase of the test. However, spatial memory task was unaffected in exposed rats.
Conclusion: Sub-chronic and chronic head-only exposure of rats to GSM 900 MHz signal (45-minutes, SAR = 1.5 or 15-minutes, SAR = 6 W Kg−1) did not induce spatial memory deficit in the radial-arm maze.
Abbreviations | ||
GSM | = | Global System for Mobile communications |
SAR | = | Specific Absorption Rate |
EMFs | = | electromagnetic fields |
SHB | = | scopolamine hydrobromide |
ANOVA | = | Analysis of Variance |
STM | = | Short-term working memory |
WM | = | Working memory |
ACTH | = | Adreno Cortico Tropic Hormone. |
Abbreviations | ||
GSM | = | Global System for Mobile communications |
SAR | = | Specific Absorption Rate |
EMFs | = | electromagnetic fields |
SHB | = | scopolamine hydrobromide |
ANOVA | = | Analysis of Variance |
STM | = | Short-term working memory |
WM | = | Working memory |
ACTH | = | Adreno Cortico Tropic Hormone. |