Low-power density of 950 MHz radiation does not affect long-term potentiation in rat dentate gyrus

Introduction: Over the last decade, exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic waves due to base station antenna has increased. This in vivo study was planned for evaluating the effects of whole-body exposure to 950 MHz field of GSM mobile phone system on rat dentate gyrus long-term potentiation. Materials and Methods: 24 naive male Wistar rats (3 month old, 225|¡|25 g) were randomly divided in the three groups (sham-exposed, GSM and continuous field exposed). The exposure program was planned for 10 sessions at 3 days. Animals were exposed to electromagnetic field for 45 minutes in a circular plastic chamber (mean power density=0.835 mW/cm2). Immediately after end exposure, anesthesia was induced for long term potentiation (LTP) induction. Field potentials were recorded and analyzed using the population spike amplitude and EPSP slope for 60- min. Results: There were no significant differences in population spike amplitude, EPSP slope and EPSP slope maintenance among the three groups. Conclusion: This study provides no evidence indicating that long-term potentiation can be affected by the whole-body exposure to low-power density of 950 MHz field of GSM mobile phone system.