Effect of Exposure to Electromagnetic Radiation from the Mobile Phone on Acetylcholinesterase Activity in the Hippocampus and Striatum of Young and Adult Male Rats

Acetylcholine is an established neurotransmitter in the transmission of signals in many of brain neurons. A decrease in the activity of cholinergic systems has been implicated to underlie the memory disturbances resulting from electromagnetic radiation (EMR). The present study shows clearly that EMR from mobile phone (at a frequency of 900MHz, a power density of 0.02mW/cm^2 and an average specific absorption rate of 1.165W/kg) had an adverse effect on acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity, the enzyme specific for the functioning of acetylcholine. The exposure of young male rats to the previous EMR for one hour caused a significant increase in AchE activity in the hippocampus, but not in the striatum, whereas the prolonged exposure for one month and four months (lh daily) induced a significant increase in the enzyme activity in both areas. Both acute (lh) and prolonged (1 and 4 months, lh daily) exposure to EMR produced significant increases in AchE activity in both hippocampus and striatum of adult male rats. The increase in the enzyme activity continued also after stopping EMR exposure for one month. The implication of these changes to the brain functions of the cholinergic system in both areas is discussed.