Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation from Smartphones on Learning Ability and Hippocampal Progenitor Cell Proliferation in Mice.

Osong public health and research perspectives · 2016 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 2947

Study snapshot

PublicationOsong public health and research perspectives · 2016

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Nonionizing radiation is emitted from electronic devices, such as smartphones. In this study, we intended to elucidate the effect of electromagnetic radiation from smartphones on spatial working memory and progenitor cell proliferation in the hippocampus. METHODS: Both male and female mice were randomly separated into two groups (radiated and control) and the radiated group was exposed to electromagnetic radiation for 9 weeks and 11 weeks for male and female mice, respectively. Spatial working memory was examined with a Y maze, and proliferation of hippocampal progenitor cells were examined by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine administration and immunohistochemical detection. RESULTS: When spatial working memory on a Y maze was examined in the 9(th) week, there was no significant difference in the spontaneous alternation score on the Y maze between the two groups. In addition, there was no significant difference in hippocampal progenitor cell proliferation. However, immunoreactivity to glial fibrillary acidic protein was increased in exposed animals. Next, to test the effect of recovery following chronic radiation exposure, the remaining female mice were further exposed to electromagnetic radiation for 2 more weeks (total 11 weeks), and spontaneous alternation was tested 4 weeks later. In this experiment, although there was no significant difference in the spontaneous alternation scores, the number of arm entry was significantly increased. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that although chronic electromagnetic radiation does not affect spatial working memory and hippocampal progenitor cell proliferation it can mediate astrocyte activation in the hippocampus and delayed hyperactivity-like behavior.

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

PopulationMale and female mice

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposure9 weeks (males) and 11 weeks (females); additional 2 weeks exposure for remaining females with testing 4 weeks later

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

After 9 weeks of exposure, there was no significant difference between exposed and control mice in Y-maze spontaneous alternation or hippocampal progenitor cell proliferation. GFAP immunoreactivity was increased in exposed animals. In females exposed for a total of 11 weeks and tested 4 weeks later, spontaneous alternation did not differ, but the number of arm entries was significantly increased.

Outcomes measured

Spatial working memory (Y-maze spontaneous alternation)
Hippocampal progenitor cell proliferation (BrdU, immunohistochemistry)
GFAP immunoreactivity (astrocyte activation)
Y-maze arm entries (activity/hyperactivity-like behavior)

Limitations

Exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, SAR) not reported in the abstract
Sample size not reported in the abstract
Details of exposure setup and control conditions not described in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "smartphone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "9 weeks (males) and 11 weeks (females); additional 2 weeks exposure for remaining females with testing 4 weeks later"
  },
  "population": "Male and female mice",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Spatial working memory (Y-maze spontaneous alternation)",
    "Hippocampal progenitor cell proliferation (BrdU, immunohistochemistry)",
    "GFAP immunoreactivity (astrocyte activation)",
    "Y-maze arm entries (activity/hyperactivity-like behavior)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "After 9 weeks of exposure, there was no significant difference between exposed and control mice in Y-maze spontaneous alternation or hippocampal progenitor cell proliferation. GFAP immunoreactivity was increased in exposed animals. In females exposed for a total of 11 weeks and tested 4 weeks later, spontaneous alternation did not differ, but the number of arm entries was significantly increased.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, SAR) not reported in the abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
    "Details of exposure setup and control conditions not described in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "smartphone",
    "electromagnetic radiation",
    "nonionizing radiation",
    "mice",
    "hippocampus",
    "spatial working memory",
    "Y maze",
    "progenitor cell proliferation",
    "BrdU",
    "GFAP",
    "astrocyte activation",
    "hyperactivity-like behavior"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study evaluates electromagnetic radiation from smartphones."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1016/j.phrp.2015.12.009
PubMed: 26981337

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