The effect of Wi-Fi electromagnetic waves in unimodal and multimodal object recognition tasks in male rats

Abstract

Wireless internet (Wi-Fi) electromagnetic waves (2.45 GHz) have widespread usage almost everywhere, especially in our homes. Considering the recent reports about some hazardous effects of Wi-Fi signals on the nervous system, this study aimed to investigate the effect of 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi radiation on multisensory integration in rats. This experimental study was done on 80 male Wistar rats that were allocated into exposure and sham groups. Wi-Fi exposure to 2.4 GHz microwaves [in Service Set Identifier mode (23.6 dBm and 3% for power and duty cycle, respectively)] was done for 30 days (12 h/day). Cross-modal visual-tactile object recognition (CMOR) task was performed by four variations of spontaneous object recognition (SOR) test including standard SOR, tactile SOR, visual SOR, and CMOR tests. A discrimination ratio was calculated to assess the preference of animal to the novel object. The expression levels of M1 and GAT1 mRNA in the hippocampus were assessed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Results demonstrated that rats in Wi-Fi exposure groups could not discriminate significantly between the novel and familiar objects in any of the standard SOR, tactile SOR, visual SOR, and CMOR tests. The expression of M1 receptors increased following Wi-Fi exposure. In conclusion, results of this study showed that chronic exposure to Wi-Fi electromagnetic waves might impair both unimodal and cross-modal encoding of information.

Nitric oxide role in anxiety-like behavior, memory and cognitive impairments in animal model of chronic migraine

“…3) Test phase; after 45 min, the rats were replaced in the arena which contained one familiar and one novel object for a period of 3 min. Discrimination ratio (as recognition index) was defined as ratio of time spent for exploring each object to the total time spent for exploring both the objects in the training and test phases [ 24 ].…”

Does all-day and long-term exposure to radiofrequency radiation emitted from Wi-Fi affect hearing?

“…Thus, it may lead to adverse effects, such as neurodegenerative diseases, originating from changes in miRNA expression. In an animal study, Hassanshahi et al [16] demonstrated that Wi-Fi radiation had possible adverse effects on cross-modal and unimodal novel object recognition. An important issue is the level of RF exposure from Wi-Fi in schools and public areas [17][18][19].…”

Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation on Neurotransmitters in the Brain

“…Furthermore, Testylier et al found that the Ach released in the hippocampal CA1 area decreased after 1 h of microwave radiation exposure with 2.45 GHz and 4 mW/cm 2 , and the extracellular Ach concentration reached the lowest level of approximately 60% pre-exposure at 6 h after radiation (28). Other studies have shown that the M1 type of AChR is upregulated, the activity of AChE is increased, and the intracellular calcium concentration is increased in the hippocampus after long-term and low-dose microwave radiation at 2.45 GHz (44,70). Derin et al arranged Wistar rats into a sham-exposed group and 45 and 65 V/m exposed groups; the exposure group experienced 1 week of exposure at a frequency of 2.1 GHz.…”