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Title: Behavioral effects of microwave irradiation on squirrel monkey ('saimiri sciureus') performance of a repeated acquisition task. Interim report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6475703

The effects of pulsed microwave irradiation on the acquisition of new behaviors was studied with six male squirrel monkeys using a repeated acquisition task. Monkeys were repeatedly exposed to pulsed 5.62 GHz microwaves for thirty minute periods and immediately tested on the repeated acquisition task. Compared to performance following sham irradiation, response acquisition was impaired at an incident power density of 53 mW/sq cm but not at 11 or 43 mW/sq cm. The 53 mW/sq cm power level produced a mean 1.9 C increase in rectal temperature above control levels and no behavioral disruption was observed without concomittant hyperthermia. No evidence of irreversible impairment of learning ability was observed. The threshold power density necessary to reliably disrupt behavior under the conditions of this experiment was estimated to be between 45 and 50 mW/sq cm. (Author)

Research Organization:
Naval Aerospace Medical Inst., Pensacola, FL (USA)
OSTI ID:
6475703
Report Number(s):
AD-A-055953; NAMRL-1245
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English