Influence of microwave exposure on chlordiazepoxide effects in the mouse staircase test.

Abstract

To ascertain whether behavioral effects of benzodiazepines are altered by exposure to microwave radiation, we compared the performance of male, Swiss CD1 mice in the staircase test 30 min after pretreatment with chlordiazepoxide (8, 16, and 32 mg/kg, IP) and immediately following a 5-min exposure to microwave radiation (4, 12, and 36 W/kg, continuous wave, 1.8 or 4.7 GHz). In this paradigm, chlordiazepoxide reduction in the number of rears (NR) and number of steps ascended (NSA) is postulated to reflect anxiolytic and sedative drug effects, respectively. In sham-exposed mice, increasing doses of chlordiazepoxide increased NSA without affecting NR, increased NSA and decreased NR, then decreased both NSA and NR. Microwave exposure generally did not alter NSA or NR in mice pretreated with lower doses of chlordiazepoxide. However, in mice pretreated with 32 mg/kg chlordiazepoxide, exposure to 36 W/kg microwave radiation significantly reversed the reductions in NSA and NR at 4.7 GHz but not at 1.8 GHz. These findings indicate that exposure to microwave radiation can selectively alter effects of chlordiazepoxide in this psychopharmacological paradigm.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Microwave exposure generally did not alter NSA or NR in mice pretreated with lower doses of chlordiazepoxide (8 or 16 mg/kg). In mice pretreated with 32 mg/kg chlordiazepoxide, exposure to 36 W/kg microwave radiation significantly reversed reductions in NSA and NR at 4.7 GHz but not at 1.8 GHz.

Outcomes measured

• Staircase test performance: number of rears (NR)
• Staircase test performance: number of steps ascended (NSA)
• Interaction/modification of chlordiazepoxide (benzodiazepine) behavioral effects (anxiolytic/sedative proxy measures)

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in abstract
• Details of randomization/blinding not reported in abstract
• Only male Swiss CD1 mice studied; generalizability unclear
• Behavioral outcomes limited to staircase test measures (NR, NSA)
• Exposure conditions limited to short-term (5 min) continuous-wave microwaves and specific frequencies/power densities

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "5-min exposure; continuous wave; 1.8 or 4.7 GHz; 4, 12, and 36 W/kg"
    },
    "population": "Male Swiss CD1 mice",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Staircase test performance: number of rears (NR)",
        "Staircase test performance: number of steps ascended (NSA)",
        "Interaction/modification of chlordiazepoxide (benzodiazepine) behavioral effects (anxiolytic/sedative proxy measures)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Microwave exposure generally did not alter NSA or NR in mice pretreated with lower doses of chlordiazepoxide (8 or 16 mg/kg). In mice pretreated with 32 mg/kg chlordiazepoxide, exposure to 36 W/kg microwave radiation significantly reversed reductions in NSA and NR at 4.7 GHz but not at 1.8 GHz.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in abstract",
        "Details of randomization/blinding not reported in abstract",
        "Only male Swiss CD1 mice studied; generalizability unclear",
        "Behavioral outcomes limited to staircase test measures (NR, NSA)",
        "Exposure conditions limited to short-term (5 min) continuous-wave microwaves and specific frequencies/power densities"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "microwave radiation",
        "chlordiazepoxide",
        "benzodiazepine",
        "mouse",
        "staircase test",
        "behavior",
        "anxiolytic",
        "sedative",
        "GHz",
        "W/kg"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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