Evaluating the Effect of Jammer Radiation on Learning and Memory in Male Rats

Previous studies shown that mobile phone can impairment of working memory in humans.

In this study, the effect of radiofrequency radiation emitted from common mobile jammers have been studied on the learning and memory of rats.

In this prospective study, 90 Sprague-Dawley rats, were divided into 9 groups (N=10): Control, Sham^1st (exposed to a switched-off mobile jammer device at a distance of 50 or 100 cm/1 day, 2 hours), Sham^2nd (similar to Sham^1st, but for 14 days, 2 h/day), Experimental^1st -50 cm/1 day &100 cm/1 day (exposed to a switched-on device at a distance of 50 or 100 cm for 2 hours), Experimental^2nd (similar to experimental^1st, but for 14 days, 2 h/day). The animals were tested for learning and memory the next day, by the shuttle box. The time that a rat took to enter the dark part was considered as memory.

Mean short-term memory was shorter in the experimental- 50 cm/1 day than control and sham- 50 cm/1 day (P=0.034), long-term memory was similar. Mean short- and long-term memory were similar in the experimental- 100 cm/1 day, control and sham- 100 cm/1 day (P>0.05). Mean short-term memory was similar in experimental- 50 cm/14 days, control, and sham- 50 cm/14 days (P=0.087), but long-term learning memory was shorter in the radiated group (P=0.038). Mean short- and long-term were similar among experimental-100 cm/14 days, control or sham 100 cm/14 days (P>0.05).

Rats exposed to jammer device showed dysfunction in short- and long-term memory, which shown the unfavorable effect of jammer on memory and learning. Our results indicated that the distance from radiation source was more important than the duration.