Changes in locomotor activity in mice due to low-intensity microwaves amplitude modulated in the EEG spectral domain

2017 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 2252

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2017

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Changes in locomotor activity in mice due to low-intensity microwaves amplitude modulated in the EEG spectral domain Eeghem VV, Arfani AE, Anthoula A, Walrave L, Pourkazemi A, Bentea E, Demuyser T, Smolders I, Stiens J. Selective changes in locomotor activity in mice due to low-intensity microwaves amplitude modulated in the EEG spectral domain. Neuroscience. 2017 Jul 4. pii: S0306-4522(17)30461-X. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.06.056. Abstract Despite the numerous benefits of microwave applications in our daily life, microwaves were associated with diverse neurological complaints such as headaches and impaired sleep patterns, and changes in the electroencephalogram (EEG). To which extent microwaves influence the brain function remains unclear. This exploratory study assessed the behavior and neurochemistry in mice immediately or 4 weeks after a 6-day exposure to low-intensity 10 GHz microwaves with an amplitude modulation (AM) of 2 or 8 Hz. These modulation frequencies of 2 and 8 Hz are situated within the delta and theta-alpha frequency bands in the EEG spectrum and are associated with sleep and active behavior, respectively. During these experiments, the specific absorbance rate was 0.3 W/kg increasing the brain temperature with 0.23°C. For the first time, exposing mice to 8 Hz AM significantly reduced locomotor activity in an open field immediately after exposure which normalized after 4 weeks. This in contrast to 2 Hz AM which didn't induce significant changes in locomotor activity immediately and 4 weeks after exposure. Despite this difference in motor behavior, no significant changes in striatal dopamine and DOPAC levels and DOPAC/dopamine turnover nor in cortical glutamate concentrations were detected. In all cases, no effects on motor coordination on a rotarod, spatial working memory, anxiety nor depressive-like behavior were observed. The outcome of this study indicates that exposing mice to low-intensity 8 Hz AM microwaves can alter the locomotor activity in contrast to 2 Hz AM which did not affect the tested behaviors. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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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 directionmixed

PopulationMice

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposuremicrowave · 10000 MHz · 0.3 W/kg · 6-day exposure; assessed immediately or 4 weeks after exposure

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In an exploratory mouse study, 10 GHz low-intensity microwaves amplitude-modulated at 8 Hz significantly reduced open-field locomotor activity immediately after a 6-day exposure, with normalization after 4 weeks; 2 Hz amplitude modulation did not significantly change locomotor activity. No significant changes were detected in striatal dopamine/DOPAC measures or cortical glutamate, and no effects were observed on rotarod performance, spatial working memory, anxiety, or depressive-like behavior.

Outcomes measured

Locomotor activity (open field)
Motor coordination (rotarod)
Spatial working memory
Anxiety-like behavior
Depressive-like behavior
Striatal dopamine
Striatal DOPAC
DOPAC/dopamine turnover
Cortical glutamate
Brain temperature change

Limitations

Exploratory study
Sample size not reported in provided abstract
Only two amplitude-modulation frequencies tested (2 Hz and 8 Hz)
Findings limited to mice and selected behavioral/neurochemical endpoints

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 10000,
    "sar_wkg": 0.3,
    "duration": "6-day exposure; assessed immediately or 4 weeks after exposure"
  },
  "population": "Mice",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Locomotor activity (open field)",
    "Motor coordination (rotarod)",
    "Spatial working memory",
    "Anxiety-like behavior",
    "Depressive-like behavior",
    "Striatal dopamine",
    "Striatal DOPAC",
    "DOPAC/dopamine turnover",
    "Cortical glutamate",
    "Brain temperature change"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In an exploratory mouse study, 10 GHz low-intensity microwaves amplitude-modulated at 8 Hz significantly reduced open-field locomotor activity immediately after a 6-day exposure, with normalization after 4 weeks; 2 Hz amplitude modulation did not significantly change locomotor activity. No significant changes were detected in striatal dopamine/DOPAC measures or cortical glutamate, and no effects were observed on rotarod performance, spatial working memory, anxiety, or depressive-like behavior.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Exploratory study",
    "Sample size not reported in provided abstract",
    "Only two amplitude-modulation frequencies tested (2 Hz and 8 Hz)",
    "Findings limited to mice and selected behavioral/neurochemical endpoints"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "microwaves",
    "10 GHz",
    "amplitude modulation",
    "2 Hz",
    "8 Hz",
    "EEG spectral domain",
    "locomotor activity",
    "open field",
    "mice",
    "dopamine",
    "DOPAC",
    "glutamate",
    "behavior"
  ],
  "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: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.06.056
PubMed: Not supplied

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