Modification of the repeated acquisition of response sequences in rats by low-level microwave exposure.

Bioelectromagnetics · 1980 · Harm · Very low evidence

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HarmVery low evidencePaper 6035

Rats acutely exposed to a 2.8 GHz pulsed-microwave field at average power densities of 5 and 10 mW/cm2 showed increased errors and altered within-session acquisition compared with control sessions. Exposure at 10 mW/cm2 decreased the rate of sequence completi…

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 1980

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

The acute effects of microwave exposure on a repeated acquisition baseline were investigated in three rats. Each session the animals acquired a different four-member response sequence. Each of the first three correct responses advanced the sequence to the next member, and the fourth correct response produced food reinforcement. Incorrect responses produced a three-second timeout. Baseline and control sessions were characterized by a decrease in errors within each session. The animals were acutely exposed to a 2.8 GHz pulsed-microwave field prior to test sessions, with average power densities ranging from 0.25 to to 10 mW/cm2. In comparison to control sessions, 1/2 hour of exposure to microwave radiation at power densities of 5 and 10 mW/cm2 increased errors and altered the pattern of within-session acquisition. Exposure to the 10 mW/cm2 power density decreased the rate of sequence completion in all animals. The results of exposures at 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mW/cm2 power densities were generally within the control range. The results are interpreted as indicating a disruption in the discriminative stimulus control of the repeated acquisition behavior.

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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 directionharm

PopulationThree rats

Sample size3

Exposuremicrowave · 2800 MHz · 1/2 hour (acute exposure prior to test sessions)

Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Repeated acquisition of response sequences (errors)
Pattern of within-session acquisition
Rate of sequence completion

Limitations

Very small sample size (three rats)
Acute exposure only; no long-term effects assessed
Exposure metric reported as power density; SAR not reported

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 2800,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "1/2 hour (acute exposure prior to test sessions)"
  },
  "population": "Three rats",
  "sample_size": 3,
  "outcomes": [
    "Repeated acquisition of response sequences (errors)",
    "Pattern of within-session acquisition",
    "Rate of sequence completion"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Rats acutely exposed to a 2.8 GHz pulsed-microwave field at average power densities of 5 and 10 mW/cm2 showed increased errors and altered within-session acquisition compared with control sessions. Exposure at 10 mW/cm2 decreased the rate of sequence completion in all animals, while results at 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mW/cm2 were generally within the control range.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Very small sample size (three rats)",
    "Acute exposure only; no long-term effects assessed",
    "Exposure metric reported as power density; SAR not reported"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "microwave",
    "pulsed microwave",
    "2.8 GHz",
    "2800 MHz",
    "power density",
    "mW/cm2",
    "rats",
    "behavior",
    "learning",
    "repeated acquisition",
    "response sequences"
  ],
  "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: 10.1002/bem.2250010109
PubMed: 7284018

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