Cognitive impairment in rats after long-term exposure to GSM-900 mobile phone radiation.
Considering the frequent use of mobile phones, we have directed attention to possible implications on cognitive functions. In this study we investigated in a rat model the long-term effects of protracted exposure to Global System for Mobile Communication-900 MHz (GSM-900) radiation. Out of a total of 56 rats, 32 were exposed for 2 h each week for 55 weeks to radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation at different SAR levels (0.6 and 60 mW/kg at the initiation of the experimental period) emitted by a (GSM-900) test phone. Sixteen animals were sham exposed and eight animals were cage controls, which never left the animal house. After this protracted exposure, GSM-900 exposed rats were compared to sham exposed controls. Effects on exploratory behaviour were evaluated in the open-field test, in which no difference was seen. Effects on cognitive functions were evaluated in the episodic-like memory test. In our study, GSM exposed rats had impaired memory for objects and their temporal order of presentation, compared to sham exposed controls (P = 0.02). Detecting the place in which an object was presented was not affected by GSM exposure. Our results suggest significantly reduced memory functions in rats after GSM microwave exposure (P = 0.02).
Department of Neurosurgery, Lund University, The Rausing Laboratory and Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. henrietta.nittby@skane.se
Henrietta
H
Nittby
Gustav
G
Grafström
Dong Ping
DP
Tian
Lars
L
Malmgren
Arne
A
Brun
Bertil R R
BR
Persson
Leif G
LG
Salford
Jacob
J
Eberhardt
D000818:Animals; D040421:Cell Phone; D003071:Cognition / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008872:Microwaves; D051381:Rats; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation / Q000379:methods*