Multi-frequency electromagnetic radiation induces anxiety in mice via inflammation in the cerebral

Environmental science and pollution research international · 2024 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 164

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironmental science and pollution research international · 2024

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Multi-frequency electromagnetic radiation induces anxiety in mice via inflammation in the cerebral cortex Jing X, Menghua L, Lihui Z, Qian W, Xueli W, Xuelong Z, Zhihui L, Guofu D, Changzhen W. Multi-frequency electromagnetic radiation induces anxiety in mice via inflammation in the cerebral cortex. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2024 May 9. doi: 10.1007/s11356-024-33447-y. Abstract Modern life is filled with radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) in various frequency bands, while the health risks are not clear. In this study, mice were whole-body exposed to 0.9/1.5/2.65 GHz radiofrequency radiation at 4 W/kg for 2 h per day for 4 weeks to investigate the emotional effects. It was found that the mice showed anxiety but no severe depression. The ELISA results showed a significant decrease in amino acid neurotransmitters (GABA, DA, 5-HT), although acetylcholine (ACH) levels were not significantly altered. Furthermore, Western blot results showed that BDNF, TrkB, and CREB levels were increased in the cerebral cortex, while NF-κB levels were decreased. In addition, pro- inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) were significantly elevated, and anti-inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-10) tended to decrease. In conclusion, multi-frequency electromagnetic radiation induces an inflammatory response through the CREB-BDNF-TrkB and NF-κB pathways in the cerebral cortex and causes a decrease in excitatory neurotransmitters, which ultimately causes anxiety in mice. Excerpt In conclusion, these findings suggest that multi-frequency RF-EMR may induce anxiety by decreasing brain neurotransmitter levels and triggering inflammatory responses via the CREB-BDNF-TrkB pathway (Fig. 5). Currently, there are few studies on the relationship between multi-frequency electromagnetic radiation and mood changes, and this study provides some data support and a direction for future research. However, further in-depth investigations are needed to elucidate the specific mechanism of whether multi-frequency RF-EMR can induce negative emotions. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal

Effect directionharm

PopulationMice

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 4 W/kg · 2 h/day for 4 weeks (whole-body exposure)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Mice whole-body exposed to multi-frequency RF (0.9/1.5/2.65 GHz) at 4 W/kg for 2 h/day for 4 weeks showed anxiety-like behavior but not severe depression. Neurotransmitters GABA, DA, and 5-HT decreased (ACh not significantly changed), BDNF/TrkB/CREB increased and NF-κB decreased in cerebral cortex, with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-10) tending to decrease.

Outcomes measured

Anxiety-like behavior
Depression-like behavior
Neurotransmitter levels (GABA, DA, 5-HT, ACh)
Protein expression in cerebral cortex (BDNF, TrkB, CREB, NF-κB)
Inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Animal study; generalizability to humans not established
Exposure scenario (multi-frequency, 4 W/kg whole-body) may not reflect typical real-world human exposures
Mechanistic conclusions noted as needing further in-depth investigation

View raw extracted JSON

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  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": 4,
    "duration": "2 h/day for 4 weeks (whole-body exposure)"
  },
  "population": "Mice",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Anxiety-like behavior",
    "Depression-like behavior",
    "Neurotransmitter levels (GABA, DA, 5-HT, ACh)",
    "Protein expression in cerebral cortex (BDNF, TrkB, CREB, NF-κB)",
    "Inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Mice whole-body exposed to multi-frequency RF (0.9/1.5/2.65 GHz) at 4 W/kg for 2 h/day for 4 weeks showed anxiety-like behavior but not severe depression. Neurotransmitters GABA, DA, and 5-HT decreased (ACh not significantly changed), BDNF/TrkB/CREB increased and NF-κB decreased in cerebral cortex, with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-10) tending to decrease.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Animal study; generalizability to humans not established",
    "Exposure scenario (multi-frequency, 4 W/kg whole-body) may not reflect typical real-world human exposures",
    "Mechanistic conclusions noted as needing further in-depth investigation"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation",
    "multi-frequency",
    "0.9 GHz",
    "1.5 GHz",
    "2.65 GHz",
    "SAR 4 W/kg",
    "whole-body exposure",
    "anxiety",
    "neurotransmitters",
    "inflammation",
    "cerebral cortex",
    "BDNF",
    "TrkB",
    "CREB",
    "NF-κB",
    "IL-6",
    "IL-1β",
    "TNF-α"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "animal-studies",
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      "reason": "Whole-body RF-EMR exposure experiment conducted in mice."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33447-y
PubMed: 38724846

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