Anthropogenic Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Elicit Neuropathic Pain in an Amputation Model.

PloS one · 2016 · Harm · Very low evidence

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HarmVery low evidencePaper 4887

Study snapshot

PublicationPloS one · 2016

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

Anecdotal and clinical reports have suggested that radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMFs) may serve as a trigger for neuropathic pain. However, these reports have been widely disregarded, as the epidemiological effects of electromagnetic fields have not been systematically proven, and are highly controversial. Here, we demonstrate that anthropogenic RF EMFs elicit post-neurotomy pain in a tibial neuroma transposition model. Behavioral assays indicate a persistent and significant pain response to RF EMFs when compared to SHAM surgery groups. Laser thermometry revealed a transient skin temperature increase during stimulation. Furthermore, immunofluorescence revealed an increased expression of temperature sensitive cation channels (TRPV4) in the neuroma bulb, suggesting that RF EMF-induced pain may be due to cytokine-mediated channel dysregulation and hypersensitization, leading to thermal allodynia. Additional behavioral assays were performed using an infrared heating lamp in place of the RF stimulus. While thermally-induced pain responses were observed, the response frequency and progression did not recapitulate the RF EMF effects. In vitro calcium imaging experiments demonstrated that our RF EMF stimulus is sufficient to directly contribute to the depolarization of dissociated sensory neurons. Furthermore, the perfusion of inflammatory cytokine TNF-α resulted in a significantly higher percentage of active sensory neurons during RF EMF stimulation. These results substantiate patient reports of RF EMF-pain, in the case of peripheral nerve injury, while confirming the public and scientific consensus that anthropogenic RF EMFs engender no adverse sensory effects in the general population.

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 directionharm

PopulationTibial neuroma transposition (post-neurotomy) amputation model; dissociated sensory neurons (in vitro)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In a tibial neuroma transposition model, RF EMF stimulation was associated with a persistent and significant pain response compared with sham surgery groups, alongside a transient increase in skin temperature during stimulation. TRPV4 expression was increased in the neuroma bulb, and in vitro calcium imaging suggested the RF EMF stimulus could contribute to depolarization of dissociated sensory neurons, with TNF-α perfusion increasing the percentage of active neurons during RF EMF stimulation.

Outcomes measured

Neuropathic pain / post-neurotomy pain (behavioral assays)
Skin temperature change during stimulation (laser thermometry)
TRPV4 expression in neuroma bulb (immunofluorescence)
Sensory neuron depolarization/activity (in vitro calcium imaging)
Effect of TNF-α on sensory neuron activity during RF EMF stimulation

Limitations

Frequency, SAR, and detailed exposure parameters were not provided in the abstract.
Sample size and key design details (randomization/blinding) were not stated in the abstract.
Findings are from an animal injury model and in vitro assays; general population effects are not directly tested.
The publication type indicates the article is retracted.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "anthropogenic RF EMFs",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Tibial neuroma transposition (post-neurotomy) amputation model; dissociated sensory neurons (in vitro)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Neuropathic pain / post-neurotomy pain (behavioral assays)",
    "Skin temperature change during stimulation (laser thermometry)",
    "TRPV4 expression in neuroma bulb (immunofluorescence)",
    "Sensory neuron depolarization/activity (in vitro calcium imaging)",
    "Effect of TNF-α on sensory neuron activity during RF EMF stimulation"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In a tibial neuroma transposition model, RF EMF stimulation was associated with a persistent and significant pain response compared with sham surgery groups, alongside a transient increase in skin temperature during stimulation. TRPV4 expression was increased in the neuroma bulb, and in vitro calcium imaging suggested the RF EMF stimulus could contribute to depolarization of dissociated sensory neurons, with TNF-α perfusion increasing the percentage of active neurons during RF EMF stimulation.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Frequency, SAR, and detailed exposure parameters were not provided in the abstract.",
    "Sample size and key design details (randomization/blinding) were not stated in the abstract.",
    "Findings are from an animal injury model and in vitro assays; general population effects are not directly tested.",
    "The publication type indicates the article is retracted."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radio-frequency electromagnetic fields",
    "RF EMF",
    "neuropathic pain",
    "amputation model",
    "tibial neuroma transposition",
    "post-neurotomy pain",
    "thermal allodynia",
    "TRPV4",
    "calcium imaging",
    "TNF-α",
    "cytokines",
    "skin temperature"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "retracted-studies",
      "weight": 0.95,
      "reason": "Metadata lists publication type as \"Retracted Publication\"."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144268
PubMed: 26760033

Read the original paper →

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