2450 MHz EMR exposure causes cognition deficit with mitochondrial dysfunction & activation of intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in rats

2018 · Harm · Low evidence

← Research stream

HarmLow evidencePaper 2101

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2018

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

2450 MHz EMR exposure causes cognition deficit with mitochondrial dysfunction & activation of intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in rats Gupta SK, Mesharam MK, Krishnamurthy S. Electromagnetic radiation 2450 MHz exposure causes cognition deficit with mitochondrial dysfunction and activation of intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in rats. Journal of Biosciences. 43(2):263-276. June 2018. Abstract Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) can induce or modulate several neurobehavioral disorders. Duration and frequency of exposure of EMR is critical to develop cognitive disorders. Even though EMR-2450 is widely used, its effects on cognition in relation to mitochondrial function and apoptosis would provide better understanding of its pathophysiological effects. Therefore, a comparative study of different frequencies of EMR exposure would give valuable information on effects of discrete frequencies of EMR on cognition. Male rats were exposed to EMR (900, 1800 and 2450 MHz) every day for 1 h for 28 consecutive days. The cognitive behavior in terms of novel arm entries in Y-maze paradigm was evaluated every week after 1 h to last EMR exposure. Animals exposed to EMR-2450 MHz exhibited significant cognitive deficits. EMR-2450 MHz caused loss of mitochondrial function and integrity, an increase in amyloid beta expression. There was release of cytochrome-c and activation of apoptotic factors such as caspase-9 and -3 in the hippocampus. Further, there was decrease in levels of acetylcholine, and increase in activity of acetyl cholinesterase, indicating impairment of cholinergic system. Therefore, exposure of EMR-2450 in rats caused cognitive deficit with related pathophysiological changes in mitochondrial and cholinergic function, and amyloidogenesis. Excerpts The horn antenna was connected to the generator, which emitted continuous radiofrequency (RF) signals of 900, 1800 and 2450 MHz. The rats were kept inside the cage and positioned at distance of 8, 11 and 15 cm from the antenna for exposure to 900, 1800 and 2450 MHz respectively to maintain the required power density, which is described in the following section. The animals after being exposed to 900, 1800 and 2450 MHz EMR, the average power density was found to be 0.1227 W/m2. While the overall value of whole body average SAR was found to be approximately, 0.0227, 0.030 and 0.0616 W/kg for 900, 1800 and 2450 MHz respectively. In summary, EMR at 2450 MHz induced cognitive behavioral deficit with concomitant loss in mitochondrial function. Alteration in the activity of mitochondrial complex enzyme systems caused oxidative stress and decrease in MMP, which ultimately lead to loss of mitochondrial integrity. Further, mitochondrial stress as observed from increases in cytochrome-c activated the expression of caspase-9 and caspase-3, indicating mitochondrial-linked apoptosis. Furthermore, exposure with EMR-2450 increased expression of hippocampal Aβ and decreased cholinergic neurotransmission in the hippocampus, which are considered to be important factors for development of cognitive dysfunction. link.springer.com

Machine Enhanced Logic

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

PopulationMale rats

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 2450 MHz · 0.0616 W/kg · 1 h/day for 28 consecutive days

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Male rats exposed to 2450 MHz EMR for 1 h/day for 28 days showed significant cognitive deficits in the Y-maze. The 2450 MHz exposure was associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and integrity loss, increased hippocampal amyloid beta expression, cytochrome-c release with activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and impaired cholinergic markers (decreased acetylcholine and increased acetylcholinesterase activity).

Outcomes measured

Cognitive behavior (Y-maze novel arm entries)
Mitochondrial function/integrity (mitochondrial complex enzymes, MMP)
Oxidative stress
Amyloid beta (Aβ) expression in hippocampus
Cytochrome-c release
Apoptosis markers (caspase-9, caspase-3) in hippocampus
Acetylcholine levels
Acetylcholinesterase activity

Limitations

Sample size not reported in provided text
Results for 900 and 1800 MHz groups are not described in the provided abstract/excerpts
Exposure characterization is partial (e.g., power density given as average; limited dosimetry details beyond reported SAR/power density)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "horn antenna (RF generator; continuous signal)",
    "frequency_mhz": 2450,
    "sar_wkg": 0.0616,
    "duration": "1 h/day for 28 consecutive days"
  },
  "population": "Male rats",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Cognitive behavior (Y-maze novel arm entries)",
    "Mitochondrial function/integrity (mitochondrial complex enzymes, MMP)",
    "Oxidative stress",
    "Amyloid beta (Aβ) expression in hippocampus",
    "Cytochrome-c release",
    "Apoptosis markers (caspase-9, caspase-3) in hippocampus",
    "Acetylcholine levels",
    "Acetylcholinesterase activity"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Male rats exposed to 2450 MHz EMR for 1 h/day for 28 days showed significant cognitive deficits in the Y-maze. The 2450 MHz exposure was associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and integrity loss, increased hippocampal amyloid beta expression, cytochrome-c release with activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and impaired cholinergic markers (decreased acetylcholine and increased acetylcholinesterase activity).",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in provided text",
    "Results for 900 and 1800 MHz groups are not described in the provided abstract/excerpts",
    "Exposure characterization is partial (e.g., power density given as average; limited dosimetry details beyond reported SAR/power density)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "2450 MHz",
    "RF-EMR",
    "rats",
    "cognition",
    "Y-maze",
    "mitochondrial dysfunction",
    "apoptosis",
    "caspase-3",
    "caspase-9",
    "cytochrome-c",
    "amyloid beta",
    "cholinergic system",
    "SAR",
    "power density"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "school-wi-fi",
      "weight": 0.55,
      "reason": "Study involves 2450 MHz RF exposure, a frequency commonly used by Wi‑Fi, though the exposure source here is a horn antenna in an animal experiment."
    }
  ]
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

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/s12038-018-9744-7
PubMed: Not supplied

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library