Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of GSM modulated radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation on permeability of blood-brain barrier in male & female rats med./bio.

Published in: J Chem Neuroanat 2016; 75 Pt B: 123-127

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of exposure of rats to electromagnetic fields of 900 MHz or 1800 MHz on the permeability of the blood brain barrier should be investigated.

Background/further details

A total of 27 male and 26 female rats were divided into the following groups: 1) exposure of male rats to a 900 MHz EMF (n=9), 2) exposure of female rats to a 900 MHz EMF (n=8), 3) exposure of male rats to a 1800 MHz EMF (n=9), 4) exposure of female rats to a 1800 MHz EMF (n=9), sham exposure of 5) male and 6) female rats (n=9 each, control groups).

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: continuous for 20 minutes
Exposure 2: 1,800 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: continuous for 20 minutes

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Waveform
Charakteristic
Exposure duration continuous for 20 minutes
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Repetition frequency 217 Hz
Additional info

duty cycle of 577 µs

Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 10 cm
Chamber an ideal laboratory with no noise
Setup body temperatures were measured by rectal temperature measurement before and after the exposure: it was not affected by exposure
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 4.96 V/m - measured - ± 0.04 V/m
SAR 0.02 W/kg mean calculated - worst case value

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 1,800 MHz
Type
Waveform
Charakteristic
Exposure duration continuous for 20 minutes
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Repetition frequency 217 Hz
Additional info

duty cycle of 577 µs

Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 10 cm
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 4.7 V/m - measured - ± 0.02 V/m
SAR 0.02 W/kg mean calculated - worst case value

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

In male rats, exposure to the electromagnetic fields of 900 MHz (group 1) and 1800 MHz (group 3) led to a significantly increased permeability of the blood brain barrier compared to the control group (group 5).
In female rats, only exposure to the 900 MHz EMF (group 2) resulted in a significantly increased permeability of the blood brain barrier compared to the control group (group 6).
The authors conclude that exposure of rats to electromagnetic fields of 900 MHz or 1800 MHz might increase the permeability of the blood brain barrier with sex-specific differences.

Study character:

Study funded by

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