RF Safe

Cerebral radiofrequency exposures during adolescence: Impact on astrocytes and brain functions in healthy and pathologic rat models.

Bioelectromagnetics · 2016 · No effect · Low evidence

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No effectLow evidencePaper 4853

Across healthy and inflammation-vulnerable rat models, repeated adolescent cerebral RF-EMF exposure (900 MHz; SAR groups 0, 1.5, 6 W/kg) did not show neurobiological impairment compared with sham-exposed controls. The findings did not support increased adoles…

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 2016
Study typeanimal
Reported directionNo effect
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The widespread use of mobile phones by adolescents raises concerns about possible health effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF 900 MHz) on the immature brain. Neuro-development is a period of particular sensitivity to repeated environmental challenges such as pro-inflammatory insults. Here, we used rats to assess whether astrocyte reactivity, perception, and emotionality were affected by RF EMF exposures during adolescence. We also investigated if adolescent brains were more sensitive to RF EMF exposures after neurodevelopmental inflammation. To do so, we either performed 80 μg/kg intra-peritoneal injections of lipopolysaccharides during gestation or 1.25 μg/h intra-cerebro-ventricular infusions during adolescence. From postnatal day (P)32 to 62, rats were subjected to 45 min RF EMF exposures to the brain (specific absorption rates: 0, 1.5, or 6 W/kg, 5 days/week). From P56, they were tested for perception of novelty, anxiety-like behaviors, and emotional memory. To assess astrocytic reactivity, Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein was measured at P64. Our results did not show any neurobiological impairment in healthy and vulnerable RF EMF-exposed rats compared to their sham-exposed controls. These data did not support the hypothesis of a specific cerebral sensitivity to RF EMF of adolescents, even after a neurodevelopmental inflammation. Bioelectromagnetics. 37:338-350, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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
PopulationRats (adolescent period), including healthy and neurodevelopmental inflammation models (lipopolysaccharide exposure during gestation or adolescence)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF · 900 MHz · 45 min exposures to the brain, 5 days/week from postnatal day 32 to 62
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Across healthy and inflammation-vulnerable rat models, repeated adolescent cerebral RF-EMF exposure (900 MHz; SAR groups 0, 1.5, 6 W/kg) did not show neurobiological impairment compared with sham-exposed controls. The findings did not support increased adolescent cerebral sensitivity to RF-EMF, including after neurodevelopmental inflammation.

Outcomes measured

  • Astrocyte reactivity (GFAP at P64)
  • Perception of novelty
  • Anxiety-like behaviors
  • Emotional memory

Limitations

  • Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata
  • Exposure source described as concern about mobile phones, but experimental exposure system details not provided in abstract
  • Outcomes and follow-up limited to behavioral tests from P56 and GFAP at P64; longer-term effects not described
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "45 min exposures to the brain, 5 days/week from postnatal day 32 to 62"
  },
  "population": "Rats (adolescent period), including healthy and neurodevelopmental inflammation models (lipopolysaccharide exposure during gestation or adolescence)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Astrocyte reactivity (GFAP at P64)",
    "Perception of novelty",
    "Anxiety-like behaviors",
    "Emotional memory"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Across healthy and inflammation-vulnerable rat models, repeated adolescent cerebral RF-EMF exposure (900 MHz; SAR groups 0, 1.5, 6 W/kg) did not show neurobiological impairment compared with sham-exposed controls. The findings did not support increased adolescent cerebral sensitivity to RF-EMF, including after neurodevelopmental inflammation.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata",
    "Exposure source described as concern about mobile phones, but experimental exposure system details not provided in abstract",
    "Outcomes and follow-up limited to behavioral tests from P56 and GFAP at P64; longer-term effects not described"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "RF-EMF",
    "900 MHz",
    "adolescence",
    "rats",
    "astrocytes",
    "GFAP",
    "behavior",
    "anxiety-like behavior",
    "emotional memory",
    "lipopolysaccharide",
    "neurodevelopmental inflammation",
    "specific absorption rate"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones-rf",
      "weight": 0.86,
      "reason": "Study motivated by adolescent mobile phone use and uses 900 MHz RF exposure with SAR reporting."
    }
  ]
}
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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: 10.1002/bem.21986
PubMed: 27272062

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