Effects of 900 MHz radiofrequency on corticosterone, emotional memory and neuroinflammation in middle-aged rats.

Experimental gerontology · 2012 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4538

A single 15 min 900 MHz GSM exposure (SAR=6 W/kg) did not induce astrocyte activation (GFAP) in young adult or middle-aged rats. GSM-exposed middle-aged rats showed increased IL-1β in the olfactory bulb and enhanced contextual emotional memory, while GSM-expo…

Study snapshot

PublicationExperimental gerontology · 2012

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The widespread use of mobile phones raises the question of the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF, 900 MHz) on the brain. Previous studies reported increased levels of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the rat's brain after a single exposure to 900 MHz global system for mobile (GSM) signal, suggesting a potential inflammatory process. While this result was obtained in adult rats, no data is currently available in older animals. Since the transition from middle-age to senescence is highly dependent on environment and lifestyle, we studied the reactivity of middle-aged brains to EMF exposure. We assessed the effects of a single 15 min GSM exposure (900 MHz; specific absorption rate (SAR)=6 W/kg) on GFAP expression in young adults (6 week-old) and middle-aged rats (12 month-old). Brain interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, plasmatic levels of corticosterone (CORT), and emotional memory were also assessed. Our data indicated that, in contrast to previously published work, acute GSM exposure did not induce astrocyte activation. Our results showed an IL-1β increase in the olfactory bulb and enhanced contextual emotional memory in GSM-exposed middle-aged rats, and increased plasmatic levels of CORT in GSM-exposed young adults. Altogether, our data showed an age dependency of reactivity to GSM exposure in neuro-immunity, stress and behavioral parameters. Reproducing these effects and studying their mechanisms may allow a better understanding of mobile phone EMF effects on neurobiological parameters.

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 (young adults 6 week-old; middle-aged 12 month-old)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 900 MHz · 6 W/kg · single 15 min exposure

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

GFAP (astrocyte activation)
Brain interleukin (IL)-1β
Brain interleukin (IL)-6
Plasmatic corticosterone (CORT)
Emotional memory (contextual)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in the provided abstract/metadata
Single acute exposure only (15 min)
Findings differed from previously published work; replication suggested by authors

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone (GSM)",
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": 6,
    "duration": "single 15 min exposure"
  },
  "population": "Rats (young adults 6 week-old; middle-aged 12 month-old)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "GFAP (astrocyte activation)",
    "Brain interleukin (IL)-1β",
    "Brain interleukin (IL)-6",
    "Plasmatic corticosterone (CORT)",
    "Emotional memory (contextual)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "A single 15 min 900 MHz GSM exposure (SAR=6 W/kg) did not induce astrocyte activation (GFAP) in young adult or middle-aged rats. GSM-exposed middle-aged rats showed increased IL-1β in the olfactory bulb and enhanced contextual emotional memory, while GSM-exposed young adults showed increased plasma corticosterone.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in the provided abstract/metadata",
    "Single acute exposure only (15 min)",
    "Findings differed from previously published work; replication suggested by authors"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "900 MHz",
    "GSM",
    "radiofrequency",
    "SAR 6 W/kg",
    "GFAP",
    "astrocyte activation",
    "neuroinflammation",
    "IL-1β",
    "IL-6",
    "corticosterone",
    "emotional memory",
    "middle-aged rats",
    "age dependency"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study examines acute 900 MHz GSM (mobile phone) exposure effects on brain and behavior in rats."
    }
  ]
}

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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.exger.2012.03.015
PubMed: 22507567

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