EMF Evidence Library
Research library/Brain & nervous system/RF-029
RF-029Original abstract verified

Temporal-order memory after 55 weeks of weekly exposure

Nittby et al. · 2008 · Bioelectromagnetics

The reported finding

Original abstract reports poorer memory for objects and their temporal presentation order in exposed rats versus sham (p=0.02). Open-field behavior and memory of object location did not differ.

Reading it carefully

Cognitive article abstract verified; exposure/design linkage checked in original companion methods. Same animals as CTX-005, not an independent replication. Companion notes cage controls performed even worse than exposed rats, indicating handling/experience matters. Histological injury was not demonstrated in these animals.

Inside the study

Exposure conditions
GSM-900, 2 h once weekly for 55 weeks; whole-body SAR initially 0.6 and 60 mW/kg, declining with growth (companion methods: approximately 0.4 and 40 mW/kg at end).
Design & controls
56 Fischer 344 rats: 16 in each active group, 16 sham, 8 cage controls. Companion original methods describe randomized groups, equal sexes, 4-6 months old at start; behavioral testing 3-7 weeks after exposure; 54 survived to testing/pathology.
Related research & shared cohorts
Same 56-rat experiment as CTX-005; journal year 2008, online year 2007.
The protection question raised
Why did object-order memory differ without demonstrated neuronal injury in the same animals? Handling and test experience complicate interpretation, leaving the functional observation separate from a claim of brain-cell loss.
Source verification
Original abstract; original full companion article reviewed
Where to find the result
Original abstract; companion Grafström 2008 GSM exposure/Animals and Individual correlation sections
Editorial notices
Scite metadata checked 20 Oct 2026; no editorial notice returned. Primary bibliographic records and targeted notices were checked where retrievable; no retraction or expression of concern located. This is not certification that no notice exists.
Funding
Not established in retrieved cognitive abstract/companion indexed body.
Conflicts of interest
Not established in retrieved cognitive abstract/companion indexed body.

Reviews to read alongside

Related syntheses and proposals in the separate review collection. These are topical reading links, not additional independent experiments.

Original publication

Nittby H, Grafström G, Tian DP, Malmgren L, Brun A, Persson BRR, Salford LG, Eberhardt J. Cognitive impairment in rats after long-term exposure to GSM-900 mobile phone radiation. Bioelectromagnetics. 2008;29(3):219-232. doi:10.1002/bem.20386. Online 28 November 2007.

Plain-text record