Low-Level Microwave Radiation Effect on Nerve Pulse Conduction Velocity

Summary This study is aimed to investigate dependence of nerve pulse conduction velocity on low-level microwave exposure. The changes in fiber membrane permeability or myelin sheath, caused by microwave, should affect nerve pulse conduction velocity. Experimental investigation was carried out for nerve pulse conduction velocity with and without applied microwave field and different orientations of its polarization to the nerve fiber. Microwave radiation of 450 MHz was applied polarized perpendicular or parallel to the nerve fiber. The measured field power density at the skin was 0.87 mW/cm². Special program was developed for calculation of the nerve pulse conduction velocity in LabView environment. The right nervus medianus motor nerve fibers of 35 young subjects were under the study. The experimental protocol included ten measurements in every cycle of five different exposure conditions. No changes in average values of the conduction velocities discovered in different exposure conditions. Theoretical calculations based on Hodgkin-Huxley model confirm only a weak possible effect. The results showed that low-level microwave radiation did not cause statistically significant change in nerve pulse conduction velocity in human motor nerve fiber.