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Disrupted Topological Organization of Brain Network in Rats with Spatial Memory Impairments Induced by Acute
Haoyu Wang1, Haixia Zhao1,2, Chunfang Li1,3
1Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China.
Abstract:
Previous studies have suggested that microwave (MW) radiation with certain parameters can induce spatial memory deficits. However, the effect of MW on the topological organization of the brain network is still unknown. This work aimed to investigate the topological organization of the brain network in rats with spatial memory impairments induced by acute microwave (MW) radiation. The Morris water maze (MWM) test and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging were performed to estimate the spatial memory ability and brain network topological organization of the rats after MW exposure. Compared with the sham group, the rats exposed to 30 mW/cm2 1.5 GHz MW radiation exhibited a significantly decreased normalized clustering coefficient (γ) (p = 0.002) 1 d after the exposure and a prolonged average escape latency (AEL) (p = 0.014) 3 d after the exposure. Moreover, after 10 mW/cm2 1.5 GHz MW radiation, a significantly decreased γ (p = 0.003) was also observed in the rats, without any changes in AEL. In contrast, no adverse effects on AEL or topological parameters were observed after 9.375 GHz MW radiation. In conclusion, the rats with spatial memory deficits induced by MW radiation exhibited disruptions in the topological organization of the brain network. Moreover, these topological organization disruptions emerged earlier than behavioral symptom onset and could even be found in the rats without a decline in the performance of the spatial memory task. Therefore, it is possible to use the topological parameters of the brain network as early and sensitive indicators of the spatial memory impairments induced by acute MW radiation.
Insights
Microwave radiation exposure can disrupt brain network organization, leading to spatial memory deficits in rats. These topological changes in the brain network appear before behavioral symptoms, serving as early indicators of impairment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biophysics
- Radiological Science
Background:
- Previous research links microwave (MW) radiation to spatial memory deficits.
- The impact of MW radiation on brain network topology remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in brain network topology following MW-induced spatial memory impairments in rats.
- To determine if topological changes precede behavioral deficits.
Main Methods:
- Rats were exposed to varying parameters of microwave radiation.
- Spatial memory was assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM) test.
- Brain network topological organization was analyzed via resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI).
Main Results:
- Exposure to 30 mW/cm2 1.5 GHz MW radiation significantly decreased the normalized clustering coefficient (γ) 1 day post-exposure and prolonged average escape latency (AEL) 3 days post-exposure.
- Lower intensity (10 mW/cm2) MW radiation also reduced γ without affecting AEL.
- No significant effects on AEL or topology were observed after 9.375 GHz MW radiation exposure.
Conclusions:
- MW radiation exposure disrupts the topological organization of the rat brain network, correlating with spatial memory deficits.
- Topological disruptions manifest earlier than behavioral deficits and can be detected even in the absence of observable memory impairment.
- Brain network topological parameters show potential as sensitive early biomarkers for MW-induced spatial memory impairments.
