Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Metabolism in Rats Following Microwave Exposure

ABSTRACTThe metabolism of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was studied in rats chronically exposed to 2.86 GHz microwaves at an incident power level of 10 mW/cm2 or acutely exposed to incident power levels of 40 or 80 mW/cm2. No changes occurred in whole brain GABA levels or in the activity of the enzyme which synthesizes GABA, L-glutamate decarboxylase, following these exposures. These results indicate that brain GABA metabolism was not affected by exposure to microwave radiation.