Spatial memory performance of Wistar rats exposed to mobile phone.

INTRODUCTION

With the tremendous increase in number of mobile phone users world wide, the possible risks of this technology have become a serious concern.

OBJECTIVE

We tested the effects of mobile phone exposure on spatial memory performance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male Wistar rats (10-12 weeks old) were exposed to 50 missed calls/day for 4 weeks from a GSM (900/1800 MHz) mobile phone in vibratory mode (no ring tone). After the experimental period, the animals were tested for spatial memory performance using the Morris water maze test.

RESULTS

Both phone exposed and control animals showed a significant decrease in escape time with training. Phone exposed animals had significantly (approximately 3 times) higher mean latency to reach the target quadrant and spent significantly (approximately 2 times) less time in the target quadrant than age- and sex-matched controls.

CONCLUSION

Mobile phone exposure affected the acquisition of learned responses in Wistar rats. This in turn points to the poor spatial navigation and the object place configurations of the phone-exposed animals.