The effect of Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field on spatial memory of mice and rats: A systematic review

Today, everyone is inevitably faced with electromagnetic field (EMF), especially extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF). The results of various studies on the effects of ELF-EMF on memory are controversial, and in some cases contradictory. Hence, this study aimed to systematically review the published literature assessing the effects of ELF-EMF on spatial memory and hippocampal changes in mice and rats. To identify the relevant studies, articles published in such databases as PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane Library, ISI Web of Science, ProQuest, and Google Scholar were searched from January 2000 to July 13, 2022. According to our re-sults,46.66 % of the studies reported no significant effect on the spatial memory after exposure to ELF-EMF, 33.33 % reported impaired spatial memory and increased oxidative stress and free radicals, and 20 % reported improved spatial memory, increased neurogenesis, and reduced oxidative stress. Thus, it can be concluded that the effect of ELF-EMF on the spatial memory of mice and rats depends on the duration of exposure. In other words, the spatial memory impair-ment increases by increasing the exposure time to ELF-EMF.