Low‐Level Microwave Irradiations Affect Central Cholinergic Activity in the Rat

Abstract

Sodium-dependent high-affinity choline uptake was measured in various regions of the brains of rats irradiated for 45 min with either pulsed or continuous-wave low-level microwaves (2,450 MHz; power density, 1 mW/cm2; average whole-body specific absorption rate, 0.6 W/kg). Pulsed microwave irradiation (2-microseconds pulses, 500 pulses/s) decreased choline uptake in the hippocampus and frontal cortex but had no significant effect on the hypothalamus, striatum, and inferior colliculus. Pretreatment with a narcotic antagonist (naloxone or naltrexone; 1 mg/kg i.p.) blocked the effect of pulsed microwaves on hippocampal choline uptake but did not significantly alter the effect on the frontal cortex. Irradiation with continuous-wave microwaves did not significantly affect choline uptake in the hippocampus, striatum, and hypothalamus but decreased the uptake in the frontal cortex. The effect on the frontal cortex was not altered by pretreatment with narcotic antagonist. These data suggest that exposure to low-level pulsed or continuous-wave microwaves leads to changes in cholinergic functions in the brain.

Postnatal development and behavior effects of in-utero exposure of rats to radiofrequency waves emitted from conventional WiFi devices

“…Previously, it has been demonstrated that exposure to radiofrequencies induced changes in different cholinergic parameters such as acetylcholine concentration (Modak et al 1981) and release (Testylier et al 2002), choline uptake (Lai et al 1987;Lai et al 1989) and acetylcholinesterase activity (Dutta et al 1992;Ahmed et al 2006;Valbonesi et al 2016). Such alteration of neurotransmitter system may influence behavior.…”

Effects of electromagnetic radiation of mobile phones on the central nervous system

“…A decrease in sodium dependent high affinity choline uptake from brain tissue, which is the rate limiting step in acetylcholine synthesis, was observed in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of rats after acute exposure over 45 min to pulsed microwaves at SAR of 0.6 W/kg [Lai et al, 1987a[Lai et al, , 1989[Lai et al, , 1992. Under these conditions, also an increase in the concentration of muscarinic cholinergic receptors was seen [Lai et al, 1989].…”

“…Under these conditions, also an increase in the concentration of muscarinic cholinergic receptors was seen [Lai et al, 1989]. In contrast, after shorter exposure of only 20 min, an increase in sodium dependent high affinity choline uptake and a reduction in the muscarinic receptor concentration were found [Lai et al, 1987a[Lai et al, , 1989. The effects of microwave exposure on sodium dependent high affinity choline uptake and muscarinic receptor concentration were blocked following pretreatment with the opiate antagonist naltrexone and corticotropin releasing hormone [Lai et al, 1987a[Lai et al, , 1990[Lai et al, , 1991.…”

Effects of exposure to low level radiofrequency fields on acetylcholine release in hippocampus of freely moving rats

“…Kunjilwar and Behari [1993] have shown that chronic exposure of young rats with amplitude modulated (AM) RF (0.1 W/kg) induces a decrease of central acetylcholinesterase activity. Pulsed 2.45 GHz fields at low intensities (0.6 and 1.2 W/kg) and short time exposures induced a spatial memory deficit in rats [Lai et al, 1987a[Lai et al, , 1992Wang and Lai, 2000]. This deficit could be prevented by treatment with a cholinergic agonist [Lai et al, 1994].…”