Low-level exposure to pulsed 900 MHz microwave radiation does not cause deficits in the performance of a spatial learning task in mice

There is some concern that short-term memory loss or other cognitive effect s may be associated with the use of mobile cellular telephones. In this exp eriment, the effect of repeated, acute exposure to a low intensity 900 MHz radiofrequency (RF) field pulsed at 217 Hz was explored using an appetitive ly-motivated spatial learning and working memory task. Adult male C57BL/6J mice were exposed under far field conditions in a GTEM cell for 45 min each day for 10 days at an average whole-body specific energy absorption rate ( SAR) of 0.05 W/kg. Their performance in an 8-arm radial maze was compared t o that of sham-exposed control animals. All behavioral assessments were per formed without handlers having knowledge of the exposure status of the anim als. Animals were tested in the maze immediately following exposure or afte r a delay of 15 or 30 min. No significant field-dependent effects on perfor mance were observed in choice accuracy or in total times to complete the ta sk across the experiment. These results suggest that exposure to RF radiati on simulating a digital wireless telephone (GSM) signal under the condition s of this experiment does not affect the acquisition of the learned respons e. Further studies are planned to explore the effects of other SARs on lear ned behavior. Published 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.(dagger)