Improvement of Cognitive Indicators in Male Monkeys Exposed to Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields

Today, the production of Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (ELF-EMFs) has significantly increased. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the ELF-EMFs on the structure and function of the brain in male Rhesus monkeys in terms of visual learning (VL), visual memory (VM), and visual working memory (VWM). Four monkeys were selected, of whom two monkeys irradiated by 0.7 Microtesla ELF-EMFs, 12 Hz, and two monkeys tested without irradiation (control group). A blood sample was taken in three stages, pre-, post-irradiated, and the recovery phases. Changes in the plasma levels of sodium, potassium, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were evaluated. Also, gene expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors was assessed. The anatomical change of the brain’s prefrontal area was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) LiteBox file. The visual learning, visual memory, and visual working memory abilities significantly improved after the irradiation. Also, expression of the NMDA receptors gene and the plasma levels of sodium, potassium, and ACTH significantly increased after the irradiation. However, the Prefrontal area was not significantly affected by irradiation. No significant differences were observed in any of the studied factors in the control group. Our findings suggest that ELF-EMFs irradiation at 12 Hz, positively affected visual learning and visual working memory. Thus, 12 Hz ELF-EMFs irradiations can be widely applied to improve cognitive abilities in monkeys.