Exposure to an 890-MHz mobile phone-like signal and serum levels of S100B and transthyretin in volunteers.

Toxicology letters · 2009 · Mixed · Low evidence

← Research stream

MixedLow evidencePaper 6492

Study snapshot

PublicationToxicology letters · 2009

Study typerandomized_trial

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Whether low-intensity non-thermal microwave radiation alters the integrity of the blood-brain barrier has been debated since the late 1970s, yet no experimental study has been carried out on humans. The aim of this study was to test, using peripheral markers, whether exposure to a mobile phone-like signal alters the integrity of the human blood-brain and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barriers. A provocation study was carried out that exposed 41 volunteers to a 30 min GSM 890 MHz signal with an average specific energy absorption rate distribution of 1.0 W/kg in the temporal area of the head as measured over any 1g of contiguous tissue. The outcome was assessed by changes in serum concentrations of two putative markers of brain barrier integrity, S100B and transthyretin. Repeated blood sampling before and after the provocation showed no statistically significant increase in the serum levels of S100B, while for transthyretin a statistically significant increase was seen in the final blood sample 60 min after the end of the provocation as compared to the prior sample taken immediately after provocation (p=0.02). The clinical significance of this finding, if any, is unknown. Further randomized studies with use of additional more brain specific markers are needed.

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 typerandomized_trial

Effect directionmixed

Population41 volunteers

Sample size41

ExposureRF · 890 MHz · 1 W/kg · 30 min

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In repeated blood samples before and after a 30 min GSM 890 MHz exposure (average SAR 1.0 W/kg in the temporal head area), there was no statistically significant increase in serum S100B. Serum transthyretin showed a statistically significant increase in the final blood sample 60 min after exposure compared with the sample taken immediately after exposure (p=0.02); clinical significance was stated as unknown.

Outcomes measured

Serum S100B
Serum transthyretin

Limitations

Clinical significance of the transthyretin change was stated as unknown
Authors call for further randomized studies using additional, more brain-specific markers

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "randomized_trial",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 890,
    "sar_wkg": 1,
    "duration": "30 min"
  },
  "population": "41 volunteers",
  "sample_size": 41,
  "outcomes": [
    "Serum S100B",
    "Serum transthyretin"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In repeated blood samples before and after a 30 min GSM 890 MHz exposure (average SAR 1.0 W/kg in the temporal head area), there was no statistically significant increase in serum S100B. Serum transthyretin showed a statistically significant increase in the final blood sample 60 min after exposure compared with the sample taken immediately after exposure (p=0.02); clinical significance was stated as unknown.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Clinical significance of the transthyretin change was stated as unknown",
    "Authors call for further randomized studies using additional, more brain-specific markers"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "GSM",
    "890 MHz",
    "mobile phone-like signal",
    "RF exposure",
    "non-thermal microwave radiation",
    "blood-brain barrier",
    "blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier",
    "S100B",
    "transthyretin",
    "provocation study",
    "volunteers",
    "SAR 1.0 W/kg"
  ],
  "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: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2009.04.027
PubMed: 19427372

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library