Maternal mobile phone exposure adversely affects the electrophysiological properties of Purkinje neurons in rat offspring.

Neuroscience · 2013 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4589

Study snapshot

PublicationNeuroscience · 2013

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Electromagnetic field (EMF) radiations emitted from mobile phones may cause structural damage to neurons. With the increased usage of mobile phones worldwide, concerns about their possible effects on the nervous system are rising. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the possible effects of prenatal EMF exposure on the cerebellum of offspring Wistar rats. Rats in the EMF group were exposed to 900-MHz pulse-EMF irradiation for 6h per day during all gestation period. Ten offspring per each group were evaluated for behavioral and electrophysiological evaluations. Cerebellum-related behavioral dysfunctions were analyzed using motor learning and cerebellum-dependent functional tasks (Accelerated Rotarod, Hanging and Open field tests). Whole-cell patch clamp recordings were used for electrophysiological evaluations. The results of the present study failed to show any behavioral abnormalities in rats exposed to chronic EMF radiation. However, whole-cell patch clamp recordings revealed decreased neuronal excitability of Purkinje cells in rats exposed to EMF. The most prominent changes included afterhyperpolarization amplitude, spike frequency, half width and first spike latency. In conclusion, the results of the present study show that prenatal EMF exposure results in altered electrophysiological properties of Purkinje neurons. However, these changes may not be severe enough to alter the cerebellum-dependent functional tasks.

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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 directionmixed

PopulationPregnant Wistar rats and their offspring (offspring evaluated)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 900 MHz · 6 h/day during all gestation period (prenatal exposure)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Prenatal exposure to 900-MHz pulse-EMF for 6 h/day throughout gestation did not produce detectable behavioral abnormalities in cerebellum-related functional tasks in offspring. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings showed decreased excitability and altered electrophysiological properties of Purkinje neurons (including changes in afterhyperpolarization amplitude, spike frequency, half width, and first spike latency) in exposed offspring.

Outcomes measured

Cerebellum-related behavioral performance (Accelerated Rotarod, Hanging, Open field tests)
Purkinje cell electrophysiology via whole-cell patch clamp (neuronal excitability; afterhyperpolarization amplitude; spike frequency; half width; first spike latency)

Limitations

Specific SAR/dosimetry not reported in the abstract
Total number of dams/offspring per group not fully reported (only 'ten offspring per each group' stated)
Behavioral outcomes were negative despite electrophysiological changes, limiting functional interpretation

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "6 h/day during all gestation period (prenatal exposure)"
  },
  "population": "Pregnant Wistar rats and their offspring (offspring evaluated)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Cerebellum-related behavioral performance (Accelerated Rotarod, Hanging, Open field tests)",
    "Purkinje cell electrophysiology via whole-cell patch clamp (neuronal excitability; afterhyperpolarization amplitude; spike frequency; half width; first spike latency)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Prenatal exposure to 900-MHz pulse-EMF for 6 h/day throughout gestation did not produce detectable behavioral abnormalities in cerebellum-related functional tasks in offspring. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings showed decreased excitability and altered electrophysiological properties of Purkinje neurons (including changes in afterhyperpolarization amplitude, spike frequency, half width, and first spike latency) in exposed offspring.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Specific SAR/dosimetry not reported in the abstract",
    "Total number of dams/offspring per group not fully reported (only 'ten offspring per each group' stated)",
    "Behavioral outcomes were negative despite electrophysiological changes, limiting functional interpretation"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "prenatal exposure",
    "mobile phone",
    "900 MHz",
    "pulse-EMF",
    "cerebellum",
    "Purkinje cells",
    "whole-cell patch clamp",
    "neuronal excitability",
    "behavior",
    "Wistar rat"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "rf-animal-studies",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Animal study assessing prenatal RF (900 MHz) exposure effects on offspring neurophysiology."
    }
  ]
}

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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.neuroscience.2013.07.049
PubMed: 23906636

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