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The dose-dependent effect of 1.5-GHz microwave exposure on spatial memory and the NMDAR pathway in Wistar rats

2022 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 625

Rats exposed to 1.5-GHz microwaves at 30 and 50 mW/cm2 showed impaired spatial memory, inhibited EEG activity, neuronal nuclear pyknosis/hyperchromatism in the hippocampus, and changes in NMDAR subunits and downstream signalling molecules. The authors conclud…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2022
Study typeanimal
Reported directionHarm
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The dose-dependent effect of 1.5-GHz microwave exposure on spatial memory and the NMDAR pathway in Wistar rats Wang H, Song L, Zhao L, Wang H, Xu X, Dong J, Zhang J, Yao B, Zhao X, Peng R. The dose-dependent effect of 1.5- GHz microwave exposure on spatial memory and the NMDAR pathway in Wistar rats. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Dec 27:1–13. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-24850-4. Abstract A certain power of microwave radiation could cause changes in the nervous, cardiovascular, and other systems of the body, and the brain was a sensitive target organ of microwave radiation injury. Studies have shown that microwaves can impair cognitive functions in humans and animals, such as learning and memory, attention, and orientation. The dose-dependent effect of microwave radiation is still unclear. Our study aimed to investigate the effects of 1.5-GHz microwaves with different average power densities on locative learning and memory abilities, hippocampal structure, and related N-methyl D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) signalling pathway proteins in rats. A total number of 140 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: S group (sham exposure), L5 group (1.5-GHz microwaves with average power density = 5 mW/cm2), L30 group (1.5-GHz microwaves with average power density = 30 mW/cm2), and L50 group (1.5-GHz microwaves with average power density = 50 mW/cm2). Changes in spatial learning and memory, EEG activity, hippocampal structure, and NMDAR signalling pathway molecules were detected from 6 h to 28 d after microwave exposure. After exposure to 1.5-GHz microwaves, rats in the L30 and L50 groups showed impaired spatial memory, inhibited EEG activity, pyknosis and hyperchromatism of neuron nucleus, and changes in NMDAR subunits and downstream signalling molecules. In conclusion, 1.5-GHz microwaves with an average power density of 5, 30, and 50 mW/cm2 could induce spatial memory dysfunction, hippocampal structure changes, and changes in protein levels in rats, and there was a defined dose-dependent effect. Open access paper: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal
Effect directionharm
PopulationMale Wistar rats
Sample size140
Exposuremicrowave · 1500 MHz · assessed from 6 h to 28 d after microwave exposure (exposure duration not stated)
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Rats exposed to 1.5-GHz microwaves at 30 and 50 mW/cm2 showed impaired spatial memory, inhibited EEG activity, neuronal nuclear pyknosis/hyperchromatism in the hippocampus, and changes in NMDAR subunits and downstream signalling molecules. The authors conclude there was a dose-dependent effect across 5, 30, and 50 mW/cm2.

Outcomes measured

  • Spatial learning and memory (locative learning/memory)
  • EEG activity
  • Hippocampal structure (histopathology)
  • NMDAR signalling pathway proteins (NMDAR subunits and downstream signalling molecules)

Limitations

  • Exposure duration not reported in the abstract
  • Specific methods for spatial memory testing, EEG measurement, and histological/protein quantification not detailed in the abstract
  • Results for the 5 mW/cm2 group are not clearly described (e.g., whether effects were significant vs sham)
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 1500,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "assessed from 6 h to 28 d after microwave exposure (exposure duration not stated)"
  },
  "population": "Male Wistar rats",
  "sample_size": 140,
  "outcomes": [
    "Spatial learning and memory (locative learning/memory)",
    "EEG activity",
    "Hippocampal structure (histopathology)",
    "NMDAR signalling pathway proteins (NMDAR subunits and downstream signalling molecules)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Rats exposed to 1.5-GHz microwaves at 30 and 50 mW/cm2 showed impaired spatial memory, inhibited EEG activity, neuronal nuclear pyknosis/hyperchromatism in the hippocampus, and changes in NMDAR subunits and downstream signalling molecules. The authors conclude there was a dose-dependent effect across 5, 30, and 50 mW/cm2.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure duration not reported in the abstract",
    "Specific methods for spatial memory testing, EEG measurement, and histological/protein quantification not detailed in the abstract",
    "Results for the 5 mW/cm2 group are not clearly described (e.g., whether effects were significant vs sham)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "1.5-GHz",
    "microwave",
    "power density",
    "spatial memory",
    "hippocampus",
    "EEG",
    "NMDAR",
    "dose-dependent",
    "Wistar rat"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24850-4
PubMed: Not supplied

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