Sensitivity of Neurotransmitter Release to Radiofrequency Fields

摘要

Exploring the interactions between radiofrequency (RF) radiation and biological systems is essential for developing RF-based non-lethal stunning/immobilizing weaponry. To this end a research effort was initiated to identify RF parameters potentially capable of selectively altering exocytosis, the process underlying neurotransmitter release and hence nervous system functioning. Major accomplishments included designing, setting up, testing, characterizing and optimizing a waveguide-based RF exposure system for assessing effects on exocytosis, using neurosecretory adrenal chromaffin cells as an in vitro model, and performing experiments that lead to the novel observation of enhanced neurosecretion in response to modulated RF fields in the 0.75 -0.85 GHz frequency range. The research, which has been transitioned into the DoD EPSCoR program, has been presented at four international meetings, two local research conferences, and has culminated in one peer-reviewed publication, a manuscript in preparation and a Master's thesis.