Effects of 2.1 GHz Electromagnetic Radiation on Locomotor Activity, Recognition Memory, and Anxiety-Related Behavior in Rats

Abstract

The effects of short-term (2 h per day for 7 days) exposures to different doses of 2.1 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) on cognition and behavior of rats were examined. The animals were divided into three equal groups, sham-exposed group 1 and two RF groups irradiated with different doses, groups 2 and 3, respectively. To assess locomotor activity, recognition memory, and anxiety-related behavior, the open field (OF), novel object recognition (NOR), and marble burying (MB) tests were used, respectively. Overall results showed that both 45 and 65 V/m doses of 2.1 GHz RF-EMR did not lead to significant modifications of locomotor activity in the OF test. At the same time, higher doses (65 V/m) significantly (about two times) decreased the exploration time and number of touches for a novel object in the NOR test. In the MB test, both RF-EMR doses led to significant dose-dependent decreases in the number of buried marbles, which was indicative of lower levels of anxiety. Further studies are needed, regarding this particular type and level of radiation, for the development of methods to provide protection of the brain from harmful effects of RF-EMR exposure.