ICES Database
ElectroMagnetic Field Literature
Search Engine
  

EMF Study
(Database last updated on Mar 27, 2024)

ID Number 562
Study Type In Vivo
Model 800 MHz (AM-32 Hz), 1800 MHz (GSM), 2450 MHz (CW) exposure to rats and analysis of brain function and biochemistry
Details

Sprague Dawley rats (n = 36) were exposed in the far field to 800 MHz (AM-32 Hz) RF for up to 15 hours at 200 uW/cm2 (~SAR of 0.325 W/kg) or with 2450 MHz (CW) RF for 1 hour at 2 or 4 mW/cm2 (~SAR of 3.25 & 6.5 W/Kg, respectively) [SAR levels as whole body exposure levels]. Rats were implanted with dialysis membrane at the level of the 2CA1 hipocampus. Exposure to 800 MHz resulted in a ~43% mean decrease in ACh after 14 hours (but not after 1 hour). This was mainly an inhibition of the normal increase in ACh seen in control at the beginning of the night (11pm-4am). Exposure to 2450 MHz (CW) at 6.5 W/kg for 1 hour (but not 3.25 W/kg) resulted in a 40% decrease in ACh. The authors initially concluded that these findings support a non-thermal effect of RF exposure on cholinergic neurotransmission. In a subsequent study SD rats (n = 36) implanted with EEG electrodes and cannulas for micro-dialysis collection of CSF as above were exposed to 1800 MHz GSM RF for 3 x 24 hrs at a low dose (0.048 +/- 0.12 W/kg whole body avg, 0.071 +/- 0.032 W/kg head) or a high dose (0.36 +/- 0.09 W/kg whole body avg, 0.53 +/- 0.24 W/kg head) in an anechoic chamber using a horn antenna. No effects on locomotion, feeding, grooming activities, daily temperature, EEG, or ACh levels were observed.

Findings Effects
Status Completed With Publication
Principal Investigator Health Res Center for Armed Forces, France
Funding Agency DRET, France
Country FRANCE
References
  • Crouzier, D et al. Pathol et Biologie, (2007) 55:134-142
  • Testylier, G et al. Bioelectromagnetics, (2002) 23:249-255
  • Comments

    The high levels of exposure at 2450 MHz (6.25 W/kg) in the initial studies could have been linked to thermal effects or sensory perception inducing a stress response that would lower ACh levels - although this does not explain the 800 Mhz findings. Stress (temperature or) may also have been involved in the Lai findings - Lai used 2450 MHz at 0.6 and 1.2 W/kg. The present paper (Crouzier 2006) uses 1800 MHz GSM at low doses (0.36 and 0.048 W/kg) with no decrease in ACh - not exactly hard evidence against the Lai findings - I think general stress response is the best explanation. Stress has been connected with both increases and decreases in ACh levels in the hippocampus based upon the activity level, age, and type of stressor in rats in previous (non-microwave) neurobiology studies in other labs.

    Return