Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Acute exposure to GSM 900-MHz electromagnetic fields induces glial reactivity and biochemical modifications in the rat brain med./bio.

Published in: Neurobiol Dis 2004; 17 (3): 445-454

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the response of the rat brain to an acute exposure to high power GSM 900 MHz microwaves at multiple levels: biochemical effects on neurotransmitter receptors (NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) and GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)) and transporters (dopamine), and cellular (extent of glial reaction) and behavioral effects.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: continuous for 15 min
  • SAR: 6 W/kg average over mass (brain)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 15 min
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Repetition frequency 217 Hz
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup The exposure system has been described in the reference article. Rats were held in Plexiglas restrainers to avoid any movement of their heads. Individual loop antennas were fixed between two Plexiglas plates above their heads.
Additional info Sham and exposed rats were processed in parallel.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 6 W/kg average over mass measured and calculated brain -

Reference articles

  • Mausset AL et al. (2001): Effects of radiofrequency exposure on the GABAergic system in the rat cerebellum: clues from semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Acute exposure to high power GSM 900 MHz microwaves is able to induce 1) a strong glial immunoreactivity in different structures of the brain, 2) a significant reduction of the presence of NMDA receptors at the postsynaptic membrane level in the cortex and the striatum, and 3) biochemical modifications of neurotransmitter receptor properties. Although the authors showed that the rat general locomotor behavior was not significantly altered on the short term, the data provide the first evidence for rapid cellular and molecular alterations in the rat brain after an acute exposure to high power GSM 900 MHz microwaves.

Study character:

Study funded by

Replication studies

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