Behavioral Effects of Stimulation by UHF Radio Fields

20 male albino rats were used as Ss in determining behavioral effects of ultra high frequency radiation. Experimental Ss were exposed to low intensity (50,000 mV), low frequency (300 mc to 920 mc) UHF radio waves for 47 consecutive days. Radiated rats were more active than non-radiated rats during the early part of the experiment, but became less active as the days of radiation increased. The UHF group was more emotional than the non-UHF group and showed a gradual increase in the latency of recovery from electroshock convulsion. No differences were found for weight, audiogenic seizures, and water consumption. Results suggest that (a) some time is required for UHF to have a consistent effect on behavior, and (b) the effects on behavior may be non-thermal and related to neurophysiological substrates.

Electroshock convulsion threshold and organ weights in rats after alcohol consumption

Rats were given 5% or 10% alcohol as the sole drinking fluid for 129–157 days and the electroshock convulsion threshold obtained. Thresholds for both the minimum seizure and the maximum seizure were determined. In the minimum seizure experiment, values were 21.4 ma for the control group and 25.7 ma for 10% alcohol-treated rats. In the maximum seizure experiment, the average threshold was 34.3 ma for the control group, 48.2 ma for the 10% alcohol-treated group, 39.5 ma for the 5% alcohol-treated group, and 29.8 ma for a formaldehyde-stressed group. In both instances the threshold elevation was statistically significant at the 1% level. No significant effect of body weight was seen on the electroshock convulsion threshold of the normal rat. Postmortem examination failed to reveal significant changes in the liver or endocrine system, and it was concluded that the increased electroshock convulsion threshold after chronic alcohol consumption was probably due to a depressant action of alcohol on the central nervous system.