Objective To observe the effects of low power density microwave radiation on learning and memory ability in mice.
Methods Forty male Kunming mice were exposed to low, middle, and high microwave radiation (500, 1 000, and 2 000 μW/cm2), with 10 mice in each group, for consecutive 30 days (1 h/d). After microwave radiation, the learning and memory ability was observed by 7-day Y maze training. Mice hippocampi were dissected to detect the levels of amino acid by high performance liquid phase chromatography.
Results Compared with the control group(54.62±3.13) s, the three groups exposed to microwave radiation showed extended escape latency in Y maze training(76.24±4.17), (95.36±2.31), and (117.01±4.13) s, respectively (P < 0.05). The middle(7.24±0.57) times/min and high(9.86±0.28) times/min microwave radiation exposed mice had higher frequencies in entering wrong areas (P < 0.05) than the control group(2.67±0.38) times/min. Decreased glutamate and increased gamma aminobutyric acid after microwave radiation treatment (P < 0.05) were also recorded.
Conclusion The impairment induced by low power density microwave radiation on learning and memory ability in mice may be achieved through the increase of gamma aminobutyric acid and the decrease of glutamate in hippocampus.
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