Effects of GSM and UMTS mobile telephony signals on neuron degeneration and blood-brain barrier permeation in the rat brain

2017 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 2181

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2017

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Effects of GSM and UMTS mobile telephony signals on neuron degeneration and blood-brain barrier permeation in the rat brain Poulletier de Gannes F, Masuda H, Billaudel B, Poque-Haro E, Hurtier A, Lévêque P, Ruffié G, Taxile M, Veyret B, Lagroye I. Effects of GSM and UMTS mobile telephony signals on neuron degeneration and blood-brain barrier permeation in the rat brain. Sci Rep. 2017 Nov 14;7(1):15496. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-15690-1. Abstract Blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeation and neuron degeneration were assessed in the rat brain following exposure to mobile communication radiofrequency (RF) signals (GSM-1800 and UMTS-1950). Two protocols were used: (i) single 2 h exposure, with rats sacrificed immediately, and 1 h, 1, 7, or 50 days later, and (ii) repeated exposures (2 h/day, 5 days/week, for 4 weeks) with the effects assessed immediately and 50 days after the end of exposure. The rats' heads were exposed at brain-averaged specific absorption rates (BASAR) of 0.026, 0.26, 2.6, and 13 W/kg. No adverse impact in terms of BBB leakage or neuron degeneration was observed after single exposures or immediately after the end of repeated exposure, with the exception of a transient BBB leakage (UMTS, 0.26 W/kg). Fifty days after repeated exposure, the occurrence of degenerating neurons was unchanged on average. However, a significant increased albumin leakage was detected with both RF signals at 13 W/kg. In this work, the strongest, delayed effect was induced by GSM-1800 at 13 W/kg. Considering that 13 W/kg BASAR in the rat head is equivalent to 4 times as much in the human head, deleterious effects may occur following repeated human brain exposure above 50 W/kg. Open Access Paper: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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 directionmixed

PopulationRats

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 13 W/kg · Single 2 h exposure; or repeated 2 h/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks (assessed immediately and 50 days post-exposure)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Rats were exposed to GSM-1800 and UMTS-1950 signals at brain-averaged SARs of 0.026, 0.26, 2.6, and 13 W/kg. No adverse impact on BBB leakage or neuron degeneration was observed after single exposures or immediately after repeated exposure, except for a transient BBB leakage with UMTS at 0.26 W/kg. Fifty days after repeated exposure, degenerating neurons were unchanged on average, but increased albumin leakage was detected for both signals at 13 W/kg, with the strongest delayed effect reported for GSM-1800 at 13 W/kg.

Outcomes measured

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeation/leakage (albumin leakage)
Neuron degeneration/degenerating neurons

Limitations

Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata
Journal name not provided in metadata (though citation indicates Sci Rep)
Findings include high SAR condition (13 W/kg) and delayed assessment; generalizability to typical human exposures not established in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": 13,
    "duration": "Single 2 h exposure; or repeated 2 h/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks (assessed immediately and 50 days post-exposure)"
  },
  "population": "Rats",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeation/leakage (albumin leakage)",
    "Neuron degeneration/degenerating neurons"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Rats were exposed to GSM-1800 and UMTS-1950 signals at brain-averaged SARs of 0.026, 0.26, 2.6, and 13 W/kg. No adverse impact on BBB leakage or neuron degeneration was observed after single exposures or immediately after repeated exposure, except for a transient BBB leakage with UMTS at 0.26 W/kg. Fifty days after repeated exposure, degenerating neurons were unchanged on average, but increased albumin leakage was detected for both signals at 13 W/kg, with the strongest delayed effect reported for GSM-1800 at 13 W/kg.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata",
    "Journal name not provided in metadata (though citation indicates Sci Rep)",
    "Findings include high SAR condition (13 W/kg) and delayed assessment; generalizability to typical human exposures not established in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "GSM-1800",
    "UMTS-1950",
    "radiofrequency",
    "mobile telephony",
    "rat brain",
    "blood-brain barrier",
    "albumin leakage",
    "neuron degeneration",
    "BASAR",
    "SAR"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.35,
      "reason": "Assesses biological effects of RF exposure with SAR levels relevant to exposure-limit discussions."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1038/s41598-017-15690-1
PubMed: Not supplied

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