Interaction of microwaves and a temporally incoherent magnetic field on spatial learning in the rat.

The effect of a temporally incoherent magnetic field ('noise') on microwave-induced spatial learning deficit in the rat was investigated. Rats were trained in six sessions to locate a submerged platform in a circular water maze. Four treatment groups of rats were studied: microwave-exposure (2450-MHz continuous-wave microwaves, power density 2 mW/cm(2), average whole-body specific absorption rate 1.2 W/kg), 'noise' exposure (60 mG), 'microwave+noise' exposure, and sham exposure. Animals were exposed to these conditions for 1 h immediately before each training session. One hour after the last training session, animals were tested in a 2-min probe trial in the maze during which the platform was removed. The time spent during the 2 min in the quadrant of the maze in which the platform had been located was scored. Results show that microwave-exposed rats had significant deficit in learning to locate the submerged platform when compared with the performance of the sham-exposed animals. Exposure to 'noise' alone did not significantly affect the performance of the animals (i.e., it was similar to that of the sham-exposed rats). However, simultaneous exposure to 'noise' significantly attenuated the microwave-induced spatial learning deficit (i.e. 'microwave+noise'-exposed rats learned significantly better than the microwave-exposed rats). During the probe trial, microwave-exposed animals spent significantly less time in the quadrant where the platform was located. However, response of the 'microwave+noise'-exposed animals was similar to that of the sham-exposed animals during the probe trial. Thus, simultaneous exposure to a temporally incoherent magnetic field blocks microwave-induced spatial learning and memory deficits in the rat.