Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of mobile phone radiation (900 MHz radiofrequency) on structure and functions of rat brain med./bio.

Published in: Neurol Res 2014; 36 (12): 1072-1079

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of exposure of rats to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field on the behavior, oxidative stress and neuronal damage in the brain should be investigated.

Background/further details

The rats were divided into 5 groups: 1) cage control (n=3 for each exposure group, total of n=9), 2) sham exposure (n=3 for each exposure group) and the exposure groups for 3) behavioral, 4) biochemical and 5) histological analysis (n=7 each).

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 4 h/day for 15 days
  • SAR: 0.99 W/kg mean (other specification: ca. 0.9 W/kg (?))

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 4 h/day for 15 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber plexiglass boxes with ventilation holes of 1 cm diameter on all sides
Setup mobile phone (Spice S-5110) was fitted to the roof of the cage from the inside; temperature was maintained at 25 ± 2°C
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 0.99 W/kg mean calculated - other specification: ca. 0.9 W/kg (?)

Reference articles

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No significant differences were observed between sham exposure (group 2) and cage control (group 1) animals in any parameter.
In the open field test, exposed animals (group 3) showed a significantly different behavior compared to the cage control, indicating a higher degree of anxiety and stress. However, in the elevated plus maze, group 3 showed a significantly different behavior compared to the cage control which indicated reduced anxiety.
In the Morris water maze, group 3 exhibited a significant impairment of their spatial memory compared to groups 1 and 2.
The superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activities were significantly decreased in the brain and liver of exposed animals (group 4) compared to the cage control. The level of reduced glutathione was significantly decreased in the brain and significantly increased in the liver of animals of group 4 compared to the cage control. The ascorbic acid level was significantly increased in the liver of animals of group 4 compared to the cage control, as was the amount of malondialdehyde in the brain and liver.
Histopathology showed a distinctly greater amount of degenerated neurons in the hippocampus of exposed animals (group 5) than in the cage control and sham exposure.
The authors conclude that exposure of rats to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field could provoke neuronal damage and oxidative stress in the brain, which in turn results in a changed behavior.

Study character:

Study funded by

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