Abstract

Overview

With the increasing prevalence of electrical equipment usage, there is an urgent need to understand the impact of 50 Hz electromagnetic fields (EMF) on cognitive functions like working memory (WM). This study explores the effects of EMF on rat WM and investigates underlying neural mechanisms.

Findings

• The study involved 15 rats divided into three groups with varying exposure durations to a 50 Hz and 2 mT EMF environment: 0 days (control), 24 days (experimental group I), and 48 days (experimental group II).
• Working memory was assessed using the T-maze task, along with recordings of local field potential in the media prefrontal cortex to measure power spectral density of θ and γ oscillations and the phase-amplitude coupling intensity of θ-γ oscillations.
• Results indicated a decrease in the PSD of θ and γ oscillations and a significant reduction in PAC intensity between θ and high-frequency γ oscillations in the experimental groups compared to the control.
• The decline in communication between different rhythmic oscillations, marked by reduced θ-hγ PAC intensity, suggests potential neural mechanism of WM impairment under long-term EMF exposure.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates the adverse effects of EMF exposure on working memory and provides insights into the neural disruptions that accompany such changes. These findings pave the way for further investigations into the biological impacts of electromagnetic fields and their mechanisms.