Early exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields at 1850 MHz affects auditory circuits in early postnatal mice.

Scientific reports · 2019 · Mixed · Low evidence

← Research stream

MixedLow evidencePaper 5599

Study snapshot

PublicationScientific reports · 2019

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

In the present study, we measured the spontaneous post synaptic currents (sPSCs) at the post synaptic principle cells of the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB) in early postnatal mice after exposure to 1850 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). sPSC frequencies and amplitudes were significantly increased in the RF-EMF exposed group. Moreover, the number of synaptic vesicles in the calyx of Held was significantly increased in presynaptic nerve terminals. Following RF-EMF exposure, the number of docking synaptic vesicles in the active zone increased, thereby expanding the total length of the presynaptic active zone in the calyx of Held. These data suggest that the increased sPSCs are a result of greater synaptic vesicle release from presynaptic nerves. However, we found no morphological changes in the inner hair cell ribbon synapses. Further, there were no significant changes in the hearing threshold of the auditory brainstem response at postnatal day 15. Our results indicate that exposure to RF-EMF at an early postnatal stage might directly affect brainstem auditory circuits, but it does not seem to alter general sound perception.

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 directionmixed

PopulationEarly postnatal mice

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 1850 MHz

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

After 1850 MHz RF-EMF exposure in early postnatal mice, sPSC frequencies and amplitudes in MNTB principal cells were significantly increased, along with increased synaptic vesicle number and docking vesicles/active zone length in the calyx of Held. No morphological changes were found in inner hair cell ribbon synapses, and ABR hearing thresholds at postnatal day 15 did not significantly change.

Outcomes measured

Spontaneous postsynaptic currents (sPSCs) frequency and amplitude in MNTB principal cells
Synaptic vesicle number in calyx of Held presynaptic terminals
Docking synaptic vesicles and presynaptic active zone length in calyx of Held
Inner hair cell ribbon synapse morphology
Auditory brainstem response (ABR) hearing threshold at postnatal day 15

Limitations

Exposure duration not reported in abstract
SAR/dosimetry not reported in abstract
Sample size not reported in abstract
Functional hearing outcome assessed only at postnatal day 15 (timing/longer-term effects not described in abstract)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 1850,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Early postnatal mice",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Spontaneous postsynaptic currents (sPSCs) frequency and amplitude in MNTB principal cells",
    "Synaptic vesicle number in calyx of Held presynaptic terminals",
    "Docking synaptic vesicles and presynaptic active zone length in calyx of Held",
    "Inner hair cell ribbon synapse morphology",
    "Auditory brainstem response (ABR) hearing threshold at postnatal day 15"
  ],
  "main_findings": "After 1850 MHz RF-EMF exposure in early postnatal mice, sPSC frequencies and amplitudes in MNTB principal cells were significantly increased, along with increased synaptic vesicle number and docking vesicles/active zone length in the calyx of Held. No morphological changes were found in inner hair cell ribbon synapses, and ABR hearing thresholds at postnatal day 15 did not significantly change.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure duration not reported in abstract",
    "SAR/dosimetry not reported in abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Functional hearing outcome assessed only at postnatal day 15 (timing/longer-term effects not described in abstract)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
    "RF-EMF",
    "1850 MHz",
    "auditory circuits",
    "medial nucleus of the trapezoid body",
    "MNTB",
    "calyx of Held",
    "synaptic vesicles",
    "spontaneous postsynaptic currents",
    "auditory brainstem response",
    "mice"
  ],
  "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: 10.1038/s41598-018-36868-1
PubMed: 30674958

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library