Neurobiological effects of repeated radiofrequency exposures in male senescent rats.

Biogerontology · 2016 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4854

Study snapshot

PublicationBiogerontology · 2016

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The increasing use of mobile phones by aging people raises issues about the effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on the aging central nervous system. Here, we tested if mobile phone RF-EMF exposures could exacerbate senescence-typical neurobiological deficits. Thus, aged (22-24 months) and young (4-6 months) adult male rats were subjected to head RF-EMF exposures (900 MHz, specific absorption rate (SAR) of 6 W/kg, 45 min/day for 1 month in restraint rockets). To assess senescence-typical neurobiological deficits, spatial memory, emotional memory, anxiety-related behavior, locomotor activity, interleukins (IL)-1β and 6, glial fibrillary acidic protein and corticosterone were measured. Aged rats presented deficits in spatial learning, exploration, anxiety-related behaviors, and increased hippocampal ILs and cortical IL-1β. Results showed that senescence-typical neurobiological deficits were not modified by RF-EMF exposures. RF-EMF-exposed rats (young and aged adults pooled) had decreased anxiety-related behaviors in the elevated plus maze. This study which is the first to assess RF-EMF exposures during late aging did not support the hypothesis of a specific cerebral vulnerability to RF-EMF during senescence. More investigations using longer RF-EMF exposures should be performed to conclude regarding the inoffensiveness of RF-EMF exposures.

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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

PopulationMale rats (aged 22–24 months; young adults 4–6 months)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 900 MHz · 6 W/kg · 45 min/day for 1 month

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In aged rats, senescence-typical deficits (spatial learning, exploration, anxiety-related behaviors) and increased hippocampal interleukins and cortical IL-1β were observed. These senescence-typical neurobiological deficits were not modified by 900 MHz head RF-EMF exposure (SAR 6 W/kg, 45 min/day for 1 month). Across young and aged rats pooled, RF-EMF exposure was associated with decreased anxiety-related behaviors in the elevated plus maze.

Outcomes measured

Spatial memory/learning
Emotional memory
Anxiety-related behavior (elevated plus maze)
Locomotor activity
Interleukins IL-1β and IL-6
Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)
Corticosterone

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Exposure duration limited to 1 month; authors note longer exposures are needed to draw conclusions about inoffensiveness
Restraint during exposure ("restraint rockets") could influence stress/behavioral outcomes

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": 6,
    "duration": "45 min/day for 1 month"
  },
  "population": "Male rats (aged 22–24 months; young adults 4–6 months)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Spatial memory/learning",
    "Emotional memory",
    "Anxiety-related behavior (elevated plus maze)",
    "Locomotor activity",
    "Interleukins IL-1β and IL-6",
    "Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)",
    "Corticosterone"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In aged rats, senescence-typical deficits (spatial learning, exploration, anxiety-related behaviors) and increased hippocampal interleukins and cortical IL-1β were observed. These senescence-typical neurobiological deficits were not modified by 900 MHz head RF-EMF exposure (SAR 6 W/kg, 45 min/day for 1 month). Across young and aged rats pooled, RF-EMF exposure was associated with decreased anxiety-related behaviors in the elevated plus maze.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure duration limited to 1 month; authors note longer exposures are needed to draw conclusions about inoffensiveness",
    "Restraint during exposure (\"restraint rockets\") could influence stress/behavioral outcomes"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "RF-EMF",
    "mobile phone",
    "900 MHz",
    "SAR 6 W/kg",
    "aging",
    "senescence",
    "rats",
    "spatial memory",
    "anxiety",
    "interleukins",
    "corticosterone",
    "GFAP"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones",
      "weight": 0.8,
      "reason": "Head exposure described as mobile phone RF-EMF at 900 MHz."
    },
    {
      "slug": "animal-studies",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Experimental study in young and aged male rats assessing neurobiological/behavioral outcomes."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1007/s10522-016-9654-8
PubMed: 27241674

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