Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

In-vitro exposure of neuronal networks to the GSM-1800 signal med./bio.

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2013; 34 (8): 571-578

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To test the feasibility of studying the electrical activity of neuronal networks under radio frequency-exposure at 1800 MHz in vitro.

Background/further details

In many studies, indications of an effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on the human EEG have been found (for example Schmid et al., 2012; Croft et al., 2010). To clarify the mechanisms underlying these potential effects on the brain, the research group has developed an experimental setup for the simultaneous exposure of neuronal networks and monitoring the electrical activity.
Recordings were made 3 minutes before, three minutes during and three minutes after the exposure period with 16 independent cultures.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 1,800 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: continuous for 3 minutes

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 1,800 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 3 minutes
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Additional info

GSM signal

Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber 6 mm-high glass cylinder, sealed with biocompatible silicone was used as a culture chamber and put on a microelectrode array
Setup microelectrode array (60 platinum electrodes, 200 µm spaced with 40 µm diameter tips) with culture chamber was placed inside the TEM cell in an incubator (37°C, 5 % CO2)
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 3.2 W/kg - measured and calculated - -
power 1 W - - - input power

Reference articles

  • Merla C et al. (2011): Real-Time RF Exposure Setup Based on a Multiple Electrode Array (MEA) for Electrophysiological Recording of Neuronal Networks

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • before exposure
  • during exposure
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No differences in the electrical activity were observed before and after the exposure or sham exposure. However, during exposure, the firing rate and the bursting rate were significantly decreased (around 30 %) in comparison to sham exposure.
The authors demonstrated the feasibility of studying the electrical activity of neuronal networks under radio frequency-exposure at 1800 MHz in vitro.

Study character:

Study funded by

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