Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of head-only exposure of rats to GSM-900 on blood-brain barrier permeability and neuronal degeneration med./bio.

Published in: Radiat Res 2009; 172 (3): 359-367

Aim of study (acc. to editor)

The aim of this study was to perform a confirmation study of Salford et al. 2003 using well-controlled conditions (age and sex of animals, animal facility, restrainer habituation, exposure conditions) and thus to study the effects of radiofrequency exposure on the permeability of blood-brain barrier and on neuron degeneration.

Background/further details

Five groups of 16 rats were exposed to SAR values of 0, 0.14 and 2.0 W/kg. Cage control (n=8) and positive controls (subjected to cold shock to induce brain damage; n=10) were also performed.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 hr
  • SAR: 0.14 W/kg average over mass (brain)
  • SAR: 2 W/kg average over mass (brain)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 2 hr
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup during exposure rats kept in a cylinder with a cone of Plexiglas
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 0.14 W/kg average over mass - brain -
SAR 2 W/kg average over mass - brain -

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)

Exposure of rat brains at two SAR values induced no neuronal degeneration, permeability of blood-brain barrier or neuronal apoptosis. These data differ from those obtained by Salford et al. 2003 even at the higher SAR of 2 W/kg, i.e. ten times higher than the maximum used by the Swedish group.
The authors conclude that, under these exposure conditions, GSM-900 radiofrequency irradiation does not generate brain damage at levels up to the standard local exposure limit for the public.

Study character:

Study funded by

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