title: Effects of prolonged iron overload and low frequency electromagnetic exposure on spatial learning and memory in the young rat.
abstract: Low-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) have been suggested to affect the brain via alterations of blood-brain barrier permeability to iron. Because of an immature blood-brain barrier, the young brain may be particularly vulnerable to EMF exposure. It is therefore possible that behavioral and neurotoxic effects resulting from EMF-induced iron excess in the brain would be greater in young adults. The objective of the present study was to investigate the interaction between low-frequency EMF and iron overload in young rats. In Experiment 1, we tested the effects of iron overload on spatial learning and memory. Iron treatment did not affect performance in a reference (Morris water maze) and a working memory task (8-arm radial maze). In contrast, detection of a spatial change in an object exploration task was impaired. These effects correlated with modifications of the serotoninergic metabolism. In Experiment 2, the combination of EMF exposure and iron overload was tested. As in Experiment 1, rats were not impaired in reference and working memory tasks but were mildly impaired in the detection of the spatial change. Overall, the results showed an effect of iron overload on spontaneous spatial memory processes. However, low-frequency EMF exposure did not potentiate the effects of iron overload in young rats.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neurobiology and Cognition, UMR 6155 Aix-Marseille Université CNRS, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Karima
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maaroufi
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Had-Aissouni
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Melon
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sakly
authors.forename: Hafedh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abdelmelek
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Poucet
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Save
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D058085:Iron Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D058085:Iron Compounds; C020748:ferrous sulfate; D007501:Iron