Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of low intensity radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on electrical activity in rat hippocampal slices med./bio.

By: Tattersall JE, Scott IR, Wood SJ, Nettell JJ, Bevir MK, Wang Z, Somasiri NP, Chen X
Published in: Brain Res 2001; 904 (1): 43-53
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To determine whether unmodulated weak radiofrequency electromagnetic fields can affect electrical activity directly in rat hippocampal slices.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 700 MHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: 5 - 15 min

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 700 MHz
Type
Exposure duration 5 - 15 min
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 1.6 mW/kg minimum calculated - -
SAR 4.4 mW/kg maximum calculated - -
electric field strength 25.2 V/m minimum calculated - -
electric field strength 71 V/m maximum calculated - -

Reference articles

  • Daniells C et al. (1998): Transgenic nematodes as biomonitors of microwave-induced stress
  • Tattersall JEH et al. (1996): A novel system for producing controlled exposures of brain slice preparations to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation during electrophysiological recording

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • during exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The results show that acute exposure to 700 MHz electromagnetic fields produced significant changes in evoked and spontaneous electrical activity in hippocampal slices in the absence of detectable increases in temperature. At low field intensities (25.2 and 31.7 V/m), the predominant effect was a potentiation of the amplitude of the evoked population spike by up to 20%. Higher intensity fields (up to 71.0 V/m) could produce either increases or decreases of up to 80% in the amplitude of the population spike. Changes in the field EPSP were smaller and were found in fewer slices than changes in population spike amplitude.

Study character:

Study funded by

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