Testing of behavioral and cognitive development in rats after prenatal exposure to 1800 and 2400 MHz radiofrequency fields

Authors: Li ZQ, Zhang Y, Wan YM, Zhou Q, Liu C, Wu HX, Mu YZ, He YF, Rauniyar R, Wu XN

Year: 2020 Jan 11

Category: Neuroscience

Journal: J Radiat Res

DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rrz097

URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31927574

Abstract

Abstract Summary

Overview

The objective of the study was to explore the effects of behavioral and cognitive development in rats after prenatal exposure to 1800 and 2400 MHz radiofrequency fields.

Methodology

  • Exposure of pregnant female rats to radiofrequency fields started on the 21st day of pregnancy.
  • Behavioral and physiological indicators were monitored in offspring rats.

Findings

  • Assessment via Y maze at 3 weeks and open field at 7 weeks postnatal.
  • Decreased body weight trends in the 1800 MHz and 1800 MHz + WiFi groups.
  • Earlier eye opening in the WiFi group.
  • Alterations in movement patterns and average velocity in selected groups.
  • Changes in mRNA expression of NMDAR subunits in the hippocampus, potentially indicating altered cognitive functions.

Conclusion

Prenatal exposure to specified MHz radiofrequency may significantly affect the behavioral and cognitive outcomes in offspring rats, evidenced by both physical and molecular changes.

radiofrequency cognitive development prenatal exposure rats NMDARs hippocampus neuroscience
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