Effects of 17 b-estradiol and extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on social recognition memory in female rats: a possible interaction?

Brain research · 2006 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 5129

At 30 min, social recognition memory was intact in both gonadally intact and ovariectomized rats, with or without ELF-EMF exposure. At 300 min, gonadally intact control females did not show retention, while gonadally intact females exposed to ELF EMF did; the…

Study snapshot

PublicationBrain research · 2006

Study typeanimal

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

We have investigated a potential memory-enhancing effect of exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF EMF) in female rats and its dependence on estrogen, using a social recognition task. A juvenile social recognition paradigm was used and memory retention tested at 30 and 300 min after an adult was exposed to a juvenile during two 4-min trials. Results showed that an intact social recognition memory was present at 30 min in both gonadally intact and ovariectomized rats with, or without, ELF-EMF. However, whereas gonadally intact control females failed to show retention of the recognition memory at 300 min, those additionally exposed to ELF EMF did. This shows that the enhanced duration effect of ELF EMF on social recognition memory occurs in gonadally intact females as well as in males. In addition, results showed that the ELF EMF facilitation of memory retention was prevented by ovariectomy but restored by exogenous treatment with estrogen. This suggests that this ELF EMF effect on social recognition memory is estrogen-dependent.

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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 directionbenefit

PopulationFemale rats (gonadally intact and ovariectomized; some given exogenous estrogen)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Social recognition memory retention (tested at 30 and 300 min)

Limitations

No exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, field strength, duration) reported in the abstract.
Sample size not reported in the abstract.
Findings are from an animal model; generalizability to humans is not addressed in the abstract.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Female rats (gonadally intact and ovariectomized; some given exogenous estrogen)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Social recognition memory retention (tested at 30 and 300 min)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "At 30 min, social recognition memory was intact in both gonadally intact and ovariectomized rats, with or without ELF-EMF exposure. At 300 min, gonadally intact control females did not show retention, while gonadally intact females exposed to ELF EMF did; the ELF-EMF facilitation was prevented by ovariectomy and restored by exogenous estrogen treatment.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "No exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, field strength, duration) reported in the abstract.",
    "Sample size not reported in the abstract.",
    "Findings are from an animal model; generalizability to humans is not addressed in the abstract."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields",
    "ELF EMF",
    "estradiol",
    "estrogen dependence",
    "ovariectomy",
    "female rats",
    "social recognition",
    "memory retention"
  ],
  "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.brainres.2006.04.020
PubMed: 16730671

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