1950 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields do not aggravate memory deficits in 5xFAD mice.

Bioelectromagnetics · 2016 · No effect · Low evidence

← Research stream

No effectLow evidencePaper 4841

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 2016

Study typeanimal

Reported directionNo effect

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The increased use of mobile phones has generated public concern about the impact of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on health. In the present study, we investigated whether RF-EMFs induce molecular changes in amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing and amyloid beta (Aβ)-related memory impairment in the 5xFAD mouse, which is a widely used amyloid animal model. The 5xFAD mice at the age of 1.5 months were assigned to two groups (RF-EMF- and sham-exposed groups, eight mice per group). The RF-EMF group was placed in a reverberation chamber and exposed to 1950 MHz electromagnetic fields for 3 months (SAR 5 W/kg, 2 h/day, 5 days/week). The Y-maze, Morris water maze, and novel object recognition memory test were used to evaluate spatial and non-spatial memory following 3-month RF-EMF exposure. Furthermore, Aβ deposition and APP and carboxyl-terminal fragment β (CTFβ) levels were evaluated in the hippocampus and cortex of 5xFAD mice, and plasma levels of Aβ peptides were also investigated. In behavioral tests, mice that were exposed to RF-EMF for 3 months did not exhibit differences in spatial and non-spatial memory compared to the sham-exposed group, and no apparent change was evident in locomotor activity. Consistent with behavioral data, RF-EMF did not alter APP and CTFβ levels or Aβ deposition in the brains of the 5xFAD mice. These findings indicate that 3-month RF-EMF exposure did not affect Aβ-related memory impairment or Aβ accumulation in the 5xFAD Alzheimer's disease model. Bioelectromagnetics. 37:391-399, 2016. © 2016 The Authors Bioelectromagnetics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Bioelectromagnetics Society.

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 directionno_effect

Population5xFAD Alzheimer's disease model mice (1.5 months old at start)

Sample size16

ExposureRF · 1950 MHz · 5 W/kg · 3 months (2 h/day, 5 days/week)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 86% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

After 3 months of 1950 MHz RF-EMF exposure (SAR 5 W/kg), 5xFAD mice showed no differences in spatial or non-spatial memory and no apparent change in locomotor activity compared with sham-exposed mice. RF-EMF exposure did not alter APP/CTFβ levels or Aβ deposition in brain, and the authors conclude it did not affect Aβ-related memory impairment or Aβ accumulation in this model.

Outcomes measured

Spatial memory (Y-maze, Morris water maze)
Non-spatial memory (novel object recognition)
Locomotor activity
APP levels (hippocampus, cortex)
CTFβ levels (hippocampus, cortex)
Aβ deposition (hippocampus, cortex)
Plasma Aβ peptide levels

Limitations

Small sample size (eight mice per group)
Single frequency (1950 MHz) and single exposure level (SAR 5 W/kg)
Animal model findings may not generalize to humans

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 1950,
    "sar_wkg": 5,
    "duration": "3 months (2 h/day, 5 days/week)"
  },
  "population": "5xFAD Alzheimer's disease model mice (1.5 months old at start)",
  "sample_size": 16,
  "outcomes": [
    "Spatial memory (Y-maze, Morris water maze)",
    "Non-spatial memory (novel object recognition)",
    "Locomotor activity",
    "APP levels (hippocampus, cortex)",
    "CTFβ levels (hippocampus, cortex)",
    "Aβ deposition (hippocampus, cortex)",
    "Plasma Aβ peptide levels"
  ],
  "main_findings": "After 3 months of 1950 MHz RF-EMF exposure (SAR 5 W/kg), 5xFAD mice showed no differences in spatial or non-spatial memory and no apparent change in locomotor activity compared with sham-exposed mice. RF-EMF exposure did not alter APP/CTFβ levels or Aβ deposition in brain, and the authors conclude it did not affect Aβ-related memory impairment or Aβ accumulation in this model.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Small sample size (eight mice per group)",
    "Single frequency (1950 MHz) and single exposure level (SAR 5 W/kg)",
    "Animal model findings may not generalize to humans"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.86,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
    "RF-EMF",
    "1950 MHz",
    "SAR 5 W/kg",
    "5xFAD",
    "Alzheimer's disease model",
    "amyloid beta",
    "APP processing",
    "CTFβ",
    "memory",
    "Y-maze",
    "Morris water maze",
    "novel object recognition",
    "reverberation chamber"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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: 10.1002/bem.21992
PubMed: 27434853

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library