Rats were trained to acquire a different four-member chain of responses each session. They were maintained by food reinforcement and subsequently exposed to low levels of microwaveirradiation for assessment of behavioral effects. The reinforcement contingencies were arranged so that each correct response advanced the rat closer to and eventually produced reinforcement. Each error or timeout response delayed reinforcement delivery.
Omnidirectional pole lever, mounted from the ceiling and centered 4 cm from the intelligence panel. Electric field was perpendicular to the long axis of the animal`s body.
The exposure to microwaveirradiation disrupted the pattern of acquisition. Exposure with a power density of 10 mW/cm² produced consistent alterations in behavior. Exposure at 5 mW/cm² produced alterations in 50% of the test sessions. The alterations were characterized by an increase in total error responses, as well as an elevation in pausing between responses. The data of exposures at 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mW/cm² power densities were generally within the control range.
