Whole-body exposure to 2.45 GHz electromagnetic fields does not alter 12-arm radial-maze with reduced access to spatial cues in rats

Abstract

Lai et al. [Lai H, Horita A, Guy AW. Microwave irradiation affects radial-arm maze performance in the rat. Bioelectromagnetics 1994;15(2):95–104] reported that exposure of rats to pulsed 2.45 GHz microwaves altered maze performance. Their maze was bordered by 20 cm high opaque walls. Using a maze test based on unrestrained access to spatial cues (no walls), we could not replicate this result [Cassel JC, Cosquer B, Galani R, Kuster N. Whole-body exposure to 2.45 GHz electromagnetic fields does not alter radial-maze performance in rats. Behav Brain Res 2004;155:37–43]. Here, we attempted another replication using a maze apparatus bordered by 30 cm high opaque walls. Performance of exposed rats was normal. These results show that microwave exposure as used herein does not alter spatial working memory, when access to spatial cues is reduced.