Temperature-controlled exposure systems for investigating possible changes of retinal ganglion cell activity in response to high-frequency electromagnetic fields

Radiat Environ Biophys. 2009 Apr;48(2):227-35. doi: 10.1007/s00411-008-0207-7. Epub 2009 Jan 14.

Abstract

Two exposure systems were developed for the measurement of retinal ganglion cell responses to light under the influence of pulsed high-frequency electromagnetic fields. Exposure characteristics were determined numerically for the GSM standards (900/1,800 MHz) and the UMTS standard (1,966 MHz) with specific absorption rates, averaged over the region of interest, of 0.02, 0.2, 2 und 20 W kg(-1). Extracellular multi- and single unit recordings of light responses from several retinal ganglion cells per retina could be obtained in these exposure systems on a regular basis, using two recording electrodes simultaneously. With appropriate temperature control adjustment, maximal temperature deviations at exposure onset and offset were well below the range of +/-0.1 degrees C for all SAR values.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calibration
  • Electromagnetic Fields*
  • Electrophysiology / methods
  • Equipment Design
  • Light
  • Mice
  • Radiometry
  • Retina / radiation effects
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / radiation effects*
  • Temperature
  • Time Factors
  • Vision, Ocular