Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Whole body exposure to 2.4 GHz WIFI signals: Effects on cognitive impairment in adult triple transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (3xTg-AD) med./bio.

By: Banaceur S, Banasr S, Sakly M, Abdelmelek H

Published in: Behav Brain Res 2013; 240: 197-201

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of a 4-week exposure to a 2.4 GHz WiFi signal on transgenic mice carrying mutations linked with Alzheimer's disease.

Background/further details

Triple transgenic mice with three human genes associated with Alzheimer's disease were used: Amyloid Beta Precursor protein (APP sw), Presenilin 1 (PS1M146V), and tau P301L. The non transgenic mice (wild type) had the same genetic backround as the transgenic mice.
Mice were divided into four groups (each group n = 7): two groups of transgenic mice (exposed and sham exposed), and two groups of wild type mice (exposed and sham exposed).

Endpoint

cognitive/behavioral endpoints: cognitive function and anxiety

Exposure

- 2.4 GHz
- 2.45 GHz
- microwaves
- W-LAN/WiFi

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 2.4 GHz Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h/day on 28 days	SAR: 1.6 W/kg

General information

Mice were divided into the following four groups: i) transgenic mice sham exposed ii) transgenic mice EMF exposed iii) wild type mice sham exposed iv) wild type mice EMF exposed

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	2.4 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 2 h/day on 28 days

Exposure setup

Exposure source	antenna
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	26 cm
Setup	cages with the mice positioned in a circular pattern around the antenna with each cage approximately 26 cm from the antenna; exposure system placed in a Faraday cage
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	1.6 W/kg	-	-	whole body	-

Exposed system:

animal
mouse/transgenic (3xTg-AD) and non-transgenic littermate
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

cognitive/behavioral endpoints: cognitive function (spatial learning and memory; Barnes maze), locomotor activity (Flex Field activity), anxiety (Dark/Light-Box test; latency to move into the light; number of entries and time spent in the dark box)
body weight, body temperature

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

brain/CNS

Time of investigation:

during exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data demonstrated that radiofrequency exposure improved cognitive behavior of transgenic mice in the Dark/Light-Box test and the Barnes maze. Exposure to the WiFi signals reduced the latency and made the transgenic mice less anxious. No effects on locomotor activity, body weight or body temperature were found.
The authors conclude that radiofrequency exposure may represent an effective memory-enhancing approach in Alzheimer's disease.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

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