Acute effects of 2.856 GHz and 1.5 GHz microwaves on spatial memory abilities and CREB-related pathways

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the acute effects of 2.856 GHz and 1.5 GHz microwaves on spatial memory and cAMP response element binding (CREB)-related pathways. A total of 120 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: a control group (C); 2.856 GHz microwave exposure group (S group); 1.5 GHz microwave exposure group (L group); and 2.856 and 1.5 GHz cumulative exposure group (SL group). Decreases in spatial memory abilities, changes in EEG, structural injuries, and the downregulation of phosphorylated-Ak strain transforming (p-AKT), phosphorylated-calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (p-CaMKII), phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinase (p-ERK) and p-CREB was observed 6 h after microwave exposure. Significant differences in the expression of p-CaMKII were found between the S and L groups. The power amplitudes of the EEG waves (θ, δ), levels of structural injuries and the expression of p-AKT, p-CaMK II, p-CREB, and p-ERK1/2 were significantly different in the S and L groups compared to the SL group. Interaction effects between the 2.856 and 1.5 GHz microwaves were found in the EEG and p-CREB changes. Our findings indicated that 2.856 GHz and 1.5 GHz microwave exposure induced a decline in spatial memory, which might be related to p-AKT, p-CaMK II, p-CREB and p-ERK1/2.

Low p-SYN1 (Ser-553) Expression Leads to Abnormal Neurotransmitter Release of GABA Induced by Up-Regulated Cdk5 after Microwave Exposure: Insights on Protection and Treatment of Microwave-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction

“…The health hazard of microwave radiation has been a burning issue for many years. Following microwave exposure with the same frequency as in this study, microwave radiation with a power density greater than 10 mW/cm 2 can lead to a decrease in spatial learning and memory function, inhibition of EEG activity, degeneration of hippocampal neurons, and abnormalities in amino acids and monoamine neurotransmitters; this damage grows more serious as power density increases in a dose-dependent manner [28][29][30].…”

Immune Responses to Multi-Frequencies of 1.5 GHz and 4.3 GHz Microwave Exposure in Rats: Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analysis

“…We previously reported that microwaves could reduce learning and memory ability and decrease the synaptic plasticity of the hippocampus, as well as impair cardiac function in animal models [5][6][7][8]. Now, we are greatly interested in investigating biological responses to multi-frequency microwaves [5,9,10].…”

“…In the past decades, most of the researchers aimed to uncover the biological effects caused by microwaves with a single frequency at indicated power density [7,8]. Our group has previously reported that S band microwaves, ranging from 2 GHz to 4 GHz, could cause significant injuries on several organs and tissues, including the nervous system, cardiovascular system, reproductive system and immune system [9][10][11][12]. Moreover, the potential underlying mechanisms were explored [7,13,14].…”

“…However, people are always exposed to complex microwave environment with different frequencies or power densities in daily life [7,8]. For example, the remote sensing satellites constantly equipped with synthetic aperture radar simultaneously emit a signal at frequencies of L-band (1-2 GHz), C-band (4-8 GHz) and X-band (8)(9)(10)(11)(12) [1]. Therefore, it is important to explore the biological effects and underlying mechanisms caused by multi-frequency microwaves.…”

High-Power Electromagnetic Pulse Exposure of Healthy Mice: Assessment of Effects on Mice Cognitions, Neuronal Activities, and Hippocampal Structures

“…The brain is recognized as a target organ sensitive to electromagnetic radiation (EMR; Shahin et al, 2018;Narayanan et al, 2019;Gökçek-Saraç et al, 2021;Hu et al, 2021;Tan et al, 2021). The toxic effects of EMR are often classified as thermal or nonthermal effects.…”