Rats’ curiosity, industry see decrease

MUMBAI: Rats exposed to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted by widely-used 3G (third generation) devices and Wi-fi network showed a significant decrease in curiosity, indicating a decrease in their innate exploratory behaviour, finds a study by the Indian Institute of Technology – Banaras Hindu University (IIT-BHU)

In the study, one group of rats was not subjected to EMR, while others were exposed to 900, 1800 and 2450 megahertz (MHZ), emitted by 3G and Wi-fi devices, for an hour every day, for 28 days. Experimental animals were subjected to a known arm and novel arm in Y-shaped maze one hour after EMR exposure on days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28.

Results showed that the percentage of entries in the novel arm of the Y-maze was lesser than that of the known arm. Rats exposed to EMR also spent lesser time in the novel arm as compared to the other two arms and the centre of the maze. “Rats are exploratory by nature to novel environment for survival and food. This innate behaviour was compromised because of exposure to EMR,” said Sairam Krishnamurthy, principal investigator, and professor, neurotherapeutics laboratory, department of pharmaceutical engineering and technology, IIT-BHU. “This was because the animals were not able to cope up with the novel environment (coping behaviour) owing to increased anxiety,” he added.

Rats exposed to low frequency EMR — 900MHZ and 1800MHZ — did not display any significant cognitive deficits since there were no major differences in novel arm entries on day 21 and day 28.

However, the study found that exposure to EMR 2450 MHZ drastically decreased levels of neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the hippocampus, an important region for processing memory and learning.

Any change in neurotransmitters— important chemical messengers that control communication—can cause psychological and psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, learning and memory deficits. The decrease was a result of an increase in acetylcholinesterase – considered as the most important enzyme of the nervous system. A decrease in the levels of acetylcholine, and increase in acetylcholinesterase indicates damage to the cholinergic system, which is one of the most important neurotransmitter systems involved in learning and memory. “In humans, there is a decrease in the acetylcholine levels during Alzheimer’s Disease. These patients are prescribed drugs that will increase the acetylcholine levels,” said Krishnamurthy.

ONE GROUP OF RATS WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO EMR, WHILE OTHERS WERE EXPOSED TO 900, 1800 AND 2450 MHZ, EMITTED BY 3G AND WIFI DEVICES