Microwave radiation leading to shrinkage of dendritic spines in hippocampal neurons mediated by SNK-SPAR pathway.

Brain research · 2018 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 6604

Study snapshot

PublicationBrain research · 2018

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The popularization of microwave raised concerns about its influence on health including cognitive function which is associated greatly with dendritic spines plasticity. SNK-SPAR is a molecular pathway for neuronal homeostatic plasticity during chronically elevated activity. In this study, Wistar rats were exposed to microwaves (30 mW/cm for 6 min, 3 times/week for 6 weeks). Spatial learning and memory function, distribution of dendritic spines, ultrastructure of the neurons and their dendritic spines in hippocampus as well as the related critical molecules of SNK-SPAR pathway were examined at different time points after microwave exposure. There was deficiency in spatial learning and memory in rats, loss of spines in granule cells and shrinkage of mature spines in pyramidal cells, accompanied with alteration of ultrastructure of hippocampus neurons. After exposure to 30 mW/cm microwave radiation, the up-regulated SNK induced decrease of SPAR and PSD-95, which was thought to cause the changes mentioned above. In conclusion, the microwave radiation led to shrinkage and even loss of dendritic spines in hippocampus by SNK-SPAR pathway, resulting in the cognitive impairments.

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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 directionharm

PopulationWistar rats

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposuremicrowave · 6 min, 3 times/week for 6 weeks

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Wistar rats exposed to microwave radiation (30 mW/cm for 6 min, 3 times/week for 6 weeks) showed deficits in spatial learning and memory, loss of dendritic spines in granule cells, and shrinkage of mature spines in pyramidal cells, with altered hippocampal neuronal ultrastructure. Exposure was associated with up-regulated SNK and decreased SPAR and PSD-95, described as mediating the observed spine changes via the SNK-SPAR pathway.

Outcomes measured

Spatial learning and memory
Dendritic spine distribution (granule and pyramidal cells)
Neuronal and dendritic spine ultrastructure in hippocampus
SNK-SPAR pathway-related molecules (SNK, SPAR, PSD-95)

Limitations

Microwave frequency not reported in abstract
Sample size not reported in abstract
Exposure metric reported as power density (mW/cm) without SAR or dosimetry details in abstract
Timing of post-exposure assessments not specified in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "6 min, 3 times/week for 6 weeks"
  },
  "population": "Wistar rats",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Spatial learning and memory",
    "Dendritic spine distribution (granule and pyramidal cells)",
    "Neuronal and dendritic spine ultrastructure in hippocampus",
    "SNK-SPAR pathway-related molecules (SNK, SPAR, PSD-95)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Wistar rats exposed to microwave radiation (30 mW/cm for 6 min, 3 times/week for 6 weeks) showed deficits in spatial learning and memory, loss of dendritic spines in granule cells, and shrinkage of mature spines in pyramidal cells, with altered hippocampal neuronal ultrastructure. Exposure was associated with up-regulated SNK and decreased SPAR and PSD-95, described as mediating the observed spine changes via the SNK-SPAR pathway.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Microwave frequency not reported in abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure metric reported as power density (mW/cm) without SAR or dosimetry details in abstract",
    "Timing of post-exposure assessments not specified in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "microwave radiation",
    "hippocampus",
    "dendritic spines",
    "spatial learning",
    "memory",
    "SNK",
    "SPAR",
    "PSD-95",
    "Wistar rats",
    "neuronal ultrastructure"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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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: 10.1016/j.brainres.2017.11.020
PubMed: 29180226

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