The Impact of Electromagnetic Field on Conditioned Reflex Memory

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate whether household frequency electromagnetic field affect memory processes. Apparently in various studies researchers note that different frequencies electromagnetic field improve or impair memory. In memory process hormone ghrelin plays an important role, which participates in the neurogenesis processes of memory formation. We have studied effect of electromagnetic field (EMF) on ghrelin`s concentration and memory changes under EMF. We exposed male Wistar rats under EMF. The household frequency electromagnetic field was generated with a GSM mobile phone. For memory tests we used the two feeder and five choice serial reaction time tests (5-CSRTT). With this latter test we studied attention and concentration and in serum we measured the concentration of ghrelin by immunoferminal analysis. In serum ghrelin concentration increased in electromagnetic field exposure group, after 30th day of the exposure level of ghrelin is higher than after 10 day of exposure and the sham control group. During training EMF exposure group rats task needed more trials (sessions) than in sham control group (in 5-CSRTT in sham control and EMF exposure groups, the values were 92,9±2,084 and 101,8±2,764, respectively. n=10; p＜0.05, in two feeder tests in sham control and EMF exposure groups, the values were 82,7±2,989 and 99,1±3,903, respectively. n=10; p＜0.05). As for memory consolidation, for performing 5-CSRTT after 30 day of EMF action we received significant differences in the number of correctly performed tasks (sham control and EMF exposure groups, the values were 0,7±0,1528 and 0,2±0,1333, respectively; p＜0.05) and results in prematurity activities (in sham control and EMF exposure groups 0,5 ± 0,2236 and 1,5 ± 0,3416, p＜0.05) and in accuracy (in sham control and EMF exposure groups 0,5 ± 0,1667and 1,4 ± 0,2667, p＜0.05). In our study It was found, that EMF affected as well as on learning and memory recall process, but with more advanced research reason, that clinically gave a picture of memory loss mainly related to decreased attention and concentration, which is also confirmed by the increase in concentration of hormone ghrelin, participating in memory processes, under influence of the household frequency EMF.