Research on the Correlation between BDNF Val76Met Polymorphism and Susceptibility to Changes of Cognitive Function in Rats Induced by Microwave Radiation

Microwave radiation is extremely sensitive to the brain and has been shown in animal models to affect memory and learning. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is essential for neural function and brain development, with many single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in gene. Several neuropathological disorders have been linked to the BDNF Val66Met variation. Using CRISPR, we created BDNF Val76Met mutations in rats in this study. The rats were then subjected to X-band and S-band microwave radiation, respectively, at an average power density of 50 mW/cm² for 15 min every day for five days. We assessed cognitive capacity and investigated the neural structure and BDNF mRNA levels in the brain of rats. We discovered that BDNF Val76Met rats had impaired learning capacity and altered brain structure, with a decrease in BDNF mRNA. Meanwhile, we found that BDNF Val76Met rats exhibited aggravated structural and functional brain damage under 50mW/cm² microwave radiation, and showed higher sensitivity to S-band microwave due to the stronger penetration compared to X-band microwaves. Considering the genetic differences between animals and humans, more research is needed to determine the exact mechanism by which this SNP location affects cognitive changes caused by microwave radiation.