EEG Concomitants of Exposure to Oscillating Environmental Electric Fields
Abstract
A series of experiments has been done to assess effects of low-level (2.8 v.p-p. across 40 cm), low-frequency (7 and 10 Hz) electric fields on behavior and electrical brain activity of monkeys. Monkeys were implanted with cortical and subcortical EEG electrodes and then trained to perform a precise behavioral task (a five sec, fixed interval, limited hold scheduling of rewards for lever pressing). After the animals were well trained, they were tested in a set of 4-hour experiments with fields on and fields off. Behavioral inter-response time distributions shifted in the direction of significantly faster responses under the 7 Hz fields. Peaks in power of EEG autospectra were observed at the frequency of the field in certain brain structures, especially the hippocampus. Other experiments evaluated length of exposure to fields, EEG changes with fast and slow responses, effects on sleep patterns and effects on evoked visual responses in cats. EEG was monitored from monkeys during exposure to amplitude modulated (5-15 Hz) and unmodulated microwaves. Results suggested an interaction of modulated microwaves with certain brain structures. However, the question of rectification effects at the electrode-tissue interface was left unanswered.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0717100
Entities
People
- W. R. Adey
Organizations
- University of California, Los Angeles