• experimental
  
• epidemiological
  

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Medical/biological Study (experimental study)

Blood-brain barrier permeability and nerve cell damage in rat brain 14 and 28 days after exposure to microwaves from GSM mobile phones. med./biol.

PubMed Entry

Journal web site

Aim of study (according to author)
To investigate the effects of GSM microwave exposure on the permeability of the blood-brain barrier and signs of neuronal damage in rats.
Background/further details:
96 rats were assigned to eight groups with four different specific absorption rates and two different recovery times after exposure (14 days or 28 days).

Endpoint

• effects on the neurological system: blood-brain barrier permeability and nerve cell damage

Exposure
General category: mobile phone, digital mobile phone, GSM

Field characteristics

Parameters

900 MHz pulsed (PW) exposure duration: continuous for 2 h

power flux density: 0.0052 W/m² peak value power flux density: 0.052 W/m² peak value power flux density: 5.2 W/m² peak value power flux density: 52 W/m² peak value SAR: 0.12 mW/kg peak value (whole body) SAR: 1.2 mW/kg peak value (whole body) SAR: 12 mW/kg peak value (whole body) SAR: 120 mW/kg peak value (whole body) power: 1 mW peak value (output power) power: 10 mW peak value (output power) power: 100 mW peak value (output power) power: 1000 mW peak value (output power)

Exposed system:
animal (species/strain): rat/Fischer 344
whole body exposure

Methods
Endpoint/Measurement parameters/Methodology

• effects on the neurological system: blood-brain barrier permeability (diffuse occurence and foci of albumin, albumin uptake into neurons: microscopy, immunostaining for albumin) and nerve cell damage (occurence of damaged "dark" neurons: cresyl violet staining)

Main outcome of study (according to author)
Albumin extravasation and its uptake into neurons was significantly enhanced after 14 days in the exposed group, but not after 28 days. The occurence of damaged neurons was significantly enhanced after 28 days. Both, the neuronal albumin uptake after 14 days and the occurence of damaged neurons after 28 days were significantly correlated . The data revealed statistically significant differences already at the lowest exposure level for all parameters but not for diffuse albumin occurence. This applied SAR value was far below the current recommended limit value for exposure to the head (2 W/kg) as used in the EU in accordance with the guidelines from ICNIRP.

(Study character: medical/biological study, experimental study, full/main study, blind study)

Study funded by

• Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research (FAS)
• Märit and Hans Rausing Charitable Foundation, UK

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