Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effect of whole-body exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic field on the brain cortical and hippocampal activity in mouse experimental model med./bio.

By: Barcal J, Vozeh F

Published in: Neuroquantology 2007; 5 (3): 292-303

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study brain cortical and hippocampal activity during exposure to a radiofrequency electromagnetic field, similar to the range used by mobile phones.

Background/further details

It was hypothesized that some brain structures in Lurcher mutant mice should be more sensitive to stimulation with radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as these mice represent a model of neurodegenerative diseases. 20 adult Lurcher mutant mice and 20 healthy wild type mice (control) were exposed. Brain activity was recorded under anesthesia.

Endpoint

effects on the neurological system: brain cortical and hippocampal activity

Exposure

- 880–890 MHz
- mobile communications
- mobile phone

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 880–890 MHz Exposure duration: continuous for 40 min	power: 10 W

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	880–890 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 40 min

Exposure setup

Exposure source	waveguide
Chamber	Faraday's chamber

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	10 W	-	-	-	-

Exposed system:

animal
mouse/Lurcher mutant and wild type
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on the neurological system: spontaneous brain cortical activity, hippocampal rhythmicity (electrocorticogram)

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

brain/CNS

Time of investigation:

before exposure
during exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Under exposure, the electrocorticogram evaluation showed a shift towards low frequency components with clear effects in wild type mice and only gentle differences between frequency spectra in Lurcher mutant mice. Measurement of hippocampal rhythmicity showed gentle changes with increase of high frequencies as well as changes of theta wave activity in both groups.
The results support the idea of a different vulnerability of the central nervous system in mice with neurodefective brain to the influence of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in comparison with controls.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

European Cooperation in the Field of Scientific and Technical Research (COST)
European Union (EU)/European Commission
Grant Agency of Czech Republic

Razavinasab M et al. (2016): Maternal mobile phone exposure alters intrinsic electrophysiological properties of CA1 pyramidal neurons in rat offspring
Haghani M et al. (2013): Maternal mobile phone exposure adversely affects the electrophysiological properties of Purkinje neurons in rat offspring
Bas O et al. (2009): 900 MHz electromagnetic field exposure affects qualitative and quantitative features of hippocampal pyramidal cells in the adult female rat
Ragbetli MC et al. (2009): Effect of prenatal exposure to mobile phone on pyramidal cell numbers in the mouse hippocampus: a stereological study
Lipping T et al. (2009): Using the nonlinear control of anesthesia-induced hypersensitivity of EEG at burst suppression level to test the effects of radiofrequency radiation on brain function
Bas O et al. (2009): Chronic prenatal exposure to the 900 megahertz electromagnetic field induces pyramidal cell loss in the hippocampus of newborn rats
Vozeh F et al. (2007): Study of high-frequency electromagnetic field effect on some somatic and neuro-behavioral characteristics in healthy and neurodefective mice
Barcal J et al. (2005): Effect of whole-body exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic field on the brain electrogeny in neurodefective and healthy mice
Thuroczy G et al. (1994): Simultaneous response of brain electrical activity (EEG) and cerebral circulation (REG) to microwave exposure in rats
Takashima S et al. (1979): Effects of modulated RF energy on the EEG of mammalian brains. Effects of acute and chronic irradiations
Servantie B et al. (1975): Synchronization of cortical neurons by a pulsed microwave field as evidenced by spectral analysis of electrocorticograms from the white rat
Bawin SM et al. (1973): Effects of modulated very high frequency fields on specific brain rhythms in cats