Effects Of Electromagnetic Radiation On Dual Task Model Of Classical Eyeblink Conditioning In Guinea Pigs

Background:Electromagnetic waves are widely used in modern society, so people are more exposed to electromagnetic radiation (EMR), and electromagnetic radiation hazards to the human body cannot be ignored. Mobile communication frequency is 800MHz ~ 2000 MHz, Microwave electric therapy (Decimeterwave) frequency is 300 ~ 3000 MHz. So 860 MHz is selected for this experiment. CNS is sensitive to electromagnetic radiation, and the effect of EMR on the central nervous system is particularly concerned by people, which has become the focus of research in this area.The classical eyeblink conditioning(EBCC)is used widely in the research of the neural mechanisms of associative learning and memory. EBCC includes trace eyeblink conditioning(TEBC) and delay eyeblink conditioning(DEBC).In the past, most applications were single-task EBCC model, in this study, we successfully established trace and delay eyeblink conditioning double-task model on the same animal in order to study the biological effects of electromagnetic radiation on living things. Objective :We constructed the dual-task EBCC model with guinea pigs in order to study whether the 860 MHz microwave electromagnetic radiation play a intervention role on this model.Methods: 24 male guinea pigs were chosen and trained to acquire TEBC and DEBC. The 24 guinea pigs were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=6): microwave-exposed 1 h (R60 group), microwave-exposed 20min (R20 group), sham-exposed (Pseu group), and normal control (C group). The parameters of EMR is 860MHz, 1.0mW/cm2. R20 group, R60 group guinea pigs were daily radiated for 20min and 1h; the Pseu group were placed in the radiation room, but didn't get radiated; and C group were not given any treatment. After pre-treatment, immediately the dual-task of EBCC were tested, this experiment observed parameters before and after radiation and carried out a statistical analysis of the various parameters.Results: After 9 days we successfully established the dual-task model of TEBC and DEBC in guinea pigs. And the CR acquisition rates of TEBC and DEBC increased, which reached 80% on the ninth day. The CR peak amplitudes and latency of TEBC and DEBC increased too. For R60 group guinea pigs, the CR acquisition rates and peak amplitudes of TEBC and DEBC were significantly decreased (P<0.05) after receiving EMR,but there were no significant change in latency (P> 0.05). The behavioral parameters of R20 group, Pseu group, C group guinea pigs did not change (P> 0.05). The CR acquisition rates of TEBC and DEBC in R60 group significantly decreased on the first day after the microwave radiation (P <0.05), but in the next two days it can return to previous level. The CR peak amplitude of TEBC in R60 group significantly decreased on the first and second day after the microwave radiation (P <0.05), but on the third day it returned to previous level; the CR peak amplitude of DEBC in R60 group significantly decreased on the first and third day after the microwave radiation (P <0.05).Conclusion: We successfully established the dual-task model of TEBC and DEBC in guinea pigs, then the guinea pigs of R60 group and R20 group were given EMR (860MHz, 1.0mW/cm2), which last for 1h and 20mins. The results showed that, EMR of 1h and 20min produced different effects on animals. Electromagnetic radiation on TEBC and DEBC have an impact, the impact of the former was heavier than the latter. In the behavioral parameters of guinea pigs, CR peak amplitude suffers the most, while CR latency the least. CNS effects of 860MHz electromagnetic radiation may be related to microwave dose (power×time).