Abstract

Overview

Humans are consistently exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) from various sources, which may have a profound influence on the developing brain during early life stages. This study explores the consequences of both EMF exposure and zinc supplementation during critical prenatal and postnatal periods in rats.

Findings

• EMF exposure variably affects behavior depending on the type: while it does not alter social behaviors, it negatively influences activity, exploratory behaviors, and contributes to heightened anxiety.
• Zinc supplementation provides some benefits to female offspring but does not significantly help males.
• At the molecular level, EMF exposure associates with decreased levels of essential synaptic proteins such as SHANK3 and NLGN3, particularly in areas like the hippocampus and amygdala which are crucial in cognitive and emotional processing.
• Structural observations in the amygdala align with behavioral data, suggesting EMF's capability to alter neurological frameworks in a gender-specific manner.

Conclusion

The implications of these findings are significant, urging further investigation into both gender-specific effects and varied supplementation techniques to mitigate the potentially adverse effects of EMF on development.