Effects of Radiofrequency and Millimetre Range Electromagnetic Fields on the Nervous System: Cognitive Processes and Psycho-Emotional State (Review)

This paper is a continuation of a series of reviews of research into the effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) on the nervous system of young animals in vitro and in vivo. The first review considered changes in the action potential and permeability of the blood–brain barrier, transformations in cell and myelin sheath morphology, as well as materials presenting various approaches to studying the effects of RF EMF. The second review analysed the morphological and histological changes in the central nervous system, primarily in the hippocampus, which is involved in the formation of emotions and spatial memory (necessary for navigation) as well as in the consolidation of information from short-term memory to long-term memory. Since the identified changes in the hippocampus can affect cognitive processes and behaviour, this paper examines experimental data obtained using behavioural tests looking into the effects of RF EMF, Wi-Fi and 5G on the cognitive processes and psycho-emotional state of young animals (rats and mice). The article analyses methods for studying cognitive processes and psycho-emotional state in rodents, as well as changes in spatial memory, levels of anxiety-like behaviour, fear, stress and depressive-like behaviour when exposed to RF EMF of various frequency ranges (from 900 MHz to 10 GHz), Wi-Fi and 5G. The presented results allow us to consider the adverse impact of cellular electromagnetic fields produced by cellular networks on the nervous system of young animals proven and to give an indirect assessment of possible negative changes in children and adolescents as the cohort most vulnerable to any environmental factors. These data should be taken into account when developing specific regulations for the use of RF EMF among the young population and/or adjusting the existing standards in the context of ever-increasing electromagnetic pollution.