Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Hyperactivity and disruption of operant behavior in rats after multiple exposures to microwave radiation med./bio.

By: Mitchell DS, Switzer WG, Bronaugh EL
Published in: Radio Sci 1977; 12: 263-271
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of chronic low-intensity continuous wave irradiation on one innate (locomotor activity) and two learned behaviors (discriminative operant reward conditioning and Sidman avoidance) of rats.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 2.45 GHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: continuous for 5 h/day, 5 days/week for 22 weeks
  • SAR: 2.3 W/kg average over time

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 2.45 GHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 5 h/day, 5 days/week for 22 weeks
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber 91.4 cm wide x 61 cm high x 61 cm deep microwave exposure chamber
Setup aluminum-lined multimode cavity; rats were restrained in polysterene cylinders 9.425 cm in diameter and 20.32 cm long
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 2.3 W/kg average over time - - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Exposure to 2.45 GHz irradiation was associated with: a) a statistically significant increase in locomotor activity, b) a statistically reliable evidence of disrupted differential responding during tests of a reinforced operant behavior, but c) no differential effects on the performance on Sidman avoidance response. The effects emerged almost immediately following the onset of irradiation and persisted throughout the course of a 22 week sequence of exposures. Sampling of rectal temperature revealed no indication of elevation of body temperature.

Study character:

Study funded by

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