Pulse modulated and continuous wave microwave radiation yield equivalent changes in operant behavior of rodents.

Abstract

Long-Evans rats were trained to the point of stable performance on a multicomponent (fixed-ratio, timeout) operant task. Different groups were exposed to continuous wave (CW) and to pulse modulated (PM) microwave radiation (MWR) during daily three-hour behavioral sessions. The rates of responding under actual and sham exposure conditions were noted. With comparable MWR dose rates, CW and PM MWR (5.8 and 6.7 mW/g, respectively) were equally effective in reducing response rates during both the fixed-ratio and the timeout components of the operant sessions. Dose rates of this order were associated with an elevation in body temperature of 0.5 to 1.0 degrees C. At 3.6 mW/g, whereas the mean rates of fixed-ratio responding were unchanged, the rates of responding during timeout were reduced significantly. Again, CW and PM MWR yielded essentially equivalent results. This MWR dose rate was not accompanied by a measurable increment in whole body temperature. It appears that (1) fixed-ratio operant responding of rats for food reward was more robust, that is, less subject to suppression by concurrent exposure to MWR than was bar-pressing during timeout, (2) PM and CW MWR, especially at the higher dose rate, effectively enhanced operant control over timeout responding and (3) the equivalent effects of CW and PM MWR support the hypothesis of a thermal basis for their effect despite the apparent inability to detect changes in whole body temperature.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Both continuous wave and pulse modulated microwave radiation at comparable dose rates (5.8 and 6.7 mW/kg) equally reduced operant response rates and elevated body temperature by 0.5 to 1.0°C. At a lower dose rate (3.6 mW/kg), response rates during timeout were reduced without measurable temperature increase, with equivalent effects for both exposure types.

Outcomes measured

• operant behavior response rates
• body temperature changes

Limitations

• No sample size reported
• Only animal model studied
• No frequency details provided
• Thermal effects inferred but whole body temperature changes not always measurable

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": null,
        "source": "microwave radiation",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": 5.79999999999999982236431605997495353221893310546875,
        "duration": "3 hours daily sessions"
    },
    "population": "Long-Evans rats",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "operant behavior response rates",
        "body temperature changes"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Both continuous wave and pulse modulated microwave radiation at comparable dose rates (5.8 and 6.7 mW/kg) equally reduced operant response rates and elevated body temperature by 0.5 to 1.0°C. At a lower dose rate (3.6 mW/kg), response rates during timeout were reduced without measurable temperature increase, with equivalent effects for both exposure types.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "No sample size reported",
        "Only animal model studied",
        "No frequency details provided",
        "Thermal effects inferred but whole body temperature changes not always measurable"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.299999999999999988897769753748434595763683319091796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "microwave radiation",
        "pulse modulation",
        "continuous wave",
        "operant behavior",
        "rats",
        "thermal effects"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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