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20 postsFilters: category: neuroscience Clear
Neurotoxic effects of 3.5 GHz GSM-like RF exposure on cultured DRG neurons: a mechanistic insight into oxidative and apoptotic pathways
This in vitro study examined strictly non-thermal, GSM-like 3.5 GHz RF-EMF exposure in cultured mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons for 1–24 hours. The authors report time-dependent reductions in cell viability alongside increased ROS and changes consistent with mitochondria-mediated apoptosis (e.g., Bax/caspase-3 up, cytochrome c release, Bcl-2 down) and increased p75NTR. They conclude these findings provide mechanistic evidence of peripheral neuronal vulnerability to mid-band RF exposure and call for further in vivo research.
The effects of acute and chronic exposure of 3G UMTS 2100 MHz radiofrequency radiation on rat mismatch negativity
This rat study examined acute (1-week) and chronic (10-week) exposure to 2100 MHz radiofrequency radiation (3G UMTS-like) and assessed auditory mismatch negativity (MMN) alongside biochemical and histological brain measures. The abstract reports that acute exposure was associated with reduced MMN-related electrophysiological parameters and changes in GluR2 and GFAP with observed brain ultrastructural alterations. Chronic exposure showed opposite protein trends and enhanced MMN parameters versus chronic controls, and lipid peroxidation was not significantly different.
Adverse Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on The Central Nervous System: A Review
This review argues that EMF exposure is associated in the literature with several adverse central nervous system outcomes, including blood-brain barrier disruption, oxidative stress, neurotransmitter changes, cognitive effects, and neurodevelopmental impacts. It reports that evidence on EMFs and brain tumors is conflicting, while noting WHO’s classification of radiofrequency EMFs as possibly carcinogenic to humans. The authors highlight prenatal and childhood periods as potentially more vulnerable and call for more standardized long-term and mechanistic research to guide public health policy.
The effects of electrical stimulation on neurons and glia of the central nervous system
This review synthesizes evidence on how direct current and alternating current electrical stimulation affect neurons and glia in the central nervous system, spanning basic research and clinical translation. It reports polarity- and parameter-dependent effects on axonal growth, along with immunomodulatory glial responses that may favor regeneration and enhanced myelination via OPC differentiation. The authors note early clinical applications with potential longer-term functional improvements, while emphasizing that stimulation parameters and patient context can influence risks and benefits.
Modeling the interplay between myelin architecture and local electromagnetic fields
This engineering/modeling study developed a 3D myelin microstructure model using finite element analysis and high-resolution imaging to simulate local electromagnetic field distributions. It reports that myelin architecture substantially shapes the distribution of electromagnetic fields across neural tissues. The authors suggest these field variations could potentially serve as non-invasive indicators of myelin integrity and may support tracking neurodegenerative disease progression.
The effects of short-term and long-term 2100 MHz radiofrequency radiation on adult rat auditory brainstem response
This animal study examined 2100 MHz radiofrequency radiation exposure effects on auditory brainstem responses and brain oxidative/ultrastructural markers in adult rats. The 1-week exposure group showed prolonged ABR latencies and biochemical/structural changes consistent with oxidative stress and cellular injury. The authors report no harmful effects in the 10-week exposure condition with rest days under the studied protocol.
Human achromatic flickers and phosphenes thresholds under extremely low frequency electric stimulations
This study estimated thresholds and locus for human phosphene perception during non-invasive transcranial alternating current stimulation at 20, 50, 60, and 100 Hz. Perception depended significantly on stimulation intensity, with the lowest threshold at 20 Hz and no reported phosphenes at 100 Hz. The authors report dosimetry consistent with a retinal origin and frame the findings as relevant for informing cautious ELF exposure limits in safety guidelines.
Potential Impacts of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields on the Central Nervous System, Brain Neurotransmitter Dynamics and Reproductive System
This review discusses potential impacts of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from technologies such as Wi‑Fi and mobile phones on the central nervous system, neurotransmitter dynamics, and reproductive health. It describes proposed mechanisms including oxidative stress, thermal effects, altered neurotransmitter activity, ion channel changes, and neuronal apoptosis, while acknowledging conflicting evidence. The authors note that Wi‑Fi RF exposure has not been confirmed to exceed safety guidelines but argue that updated standards and long-term studies are needed, particularly for children/adolescents and in the context of expanding technologies such as 5G.
Terahertz Radiation Affects the Dynamics of Neurons by Decreasing Membrane Area Ratio
This study reports that terahertz radiation decreased a neuronal membrane area ratio (cytosol relative to protruding membrane area) beginning on the first day of exposure and persisting during the exposure period. It further reports altered neuronal firing/discharge patterns and increased peak postsynaptic currents associated with the morphology change, supported by a kinetic model. The authors frame the findings as indicating significant effects of terahertz-frequency EMF on neural health and function and suggest potential neuromodulation applications.
Effects of Mobile Electromagnetic Exposure on Brain Oscillations and Cortical Excitability: Scoping Review
This scoping review evaluates evidence on mobile phone electromagnetic exposure and its effects on brain oscillations and cortical excitability in healthy individuals. Across 78 EEG studies (and 2 TMS studies), the authors report that exposure may be linked to changes in neural activity, including increased amplitudes in several EEG bands and possible changes in cortical silent period. However, substantial methodological inconsistency across studies limits firm conclusions, and the review highlights limited evidence for 5G/mmWave exposures and argues for precaution and potential guideline revision.
Sleep and Arousal Hubs and Ferromagnetic Ultrafine Particulate Matter and Nanoparticle Motion Under Electromagnetic Fields: Neurodegeneration, Sleep Disorders, Orexinergic Neurons, and Air Pollution in Young Urbanites
This review/overview argues that ultrafine particulate matter and industrial nanoparticles can reach the brain and accumulate in sleep and arousal regulatory regions, including orexinergic neuron hubs. It reports that ferromagnetic particles in these regions show motion responsive to low-intensity electromagnetic fields (30–50 μT) and describes links to sleep disturbances and neurodegenerative disease markers in young urban residents. The authors frame combined air pollution nanoparticle exposure and low-level EMF as a significant threat and call for monitoring and protective strategies.
The effect on rat peripheral nerve morphology and function of a 900-MHz electromagnetic field applied in the prenatal period
This animal study exposed pregnant Sprague Dawley rats to a 900 MHz electromagnetic field for 1 hour daily throughout gestation and assessed offspring outcomes postnatally. Sciatic nerve analyses at postnatal day 60 indicated persistent morphological alterations attributed to prenatal EMF exposure. However, the reported changes were not severe enough to significantly affect measured functional outcomes (including electrophysiology and locomotor tests).
Possible effects of RF EMR on contextual fear conditioning, hippocampal perivascular space, apoptosis and adrenal gland microarchitecture in rats
This animal study exposed male Wistar rats to 900 MHz RF-EMR from a mobile phone for 1 hour daily over four weeks and assessed behavior and tissue changes. The authors report altered contextual fear conditioning-related behavior in exposed rats. Histological assessments indicated apoptosis and enlarged perivascular space in the hippocampal CA3 region and apoptotic/inflammatory-like changes in the adrenal zona fasciculata, with no reported differences in adrenal medulla cytoarchitecture.
Magnetoreception and the ruling hypothesis
This article is a commentary on how emotions and community dynamics can bias scientific reasoning when a favored hypothesis becomes a "ruling hypothesis." Using animal magnetoreception as an example, it argues that radical-pair/cryptochrome-centered frameworks may sometimes be treated as dominant, potentially leading to selective interpretation of evidence. The authors call for separating individual intent from community-wide bias and offer recommendations to mitigate these risks.
Repeated Head Exposures to a 5G-3.5 GHz Signal Do Not Alter Behavior but Modify Intracortical Gene Expression in Adult Male Mice
This animal study examined repeated asymmetrical head exposure to a 5G-modulated 3.5 GHz signal in adult male mice for six weeks. It reports no significant changes in locomotion, anxiety, or object-based memory performance under the tested conditions. However, it found statistically significant but limited cortical gene expression changes (<1% of expressed genes), including enrichment for glutamatergic synapse-related genes and lateralized differences involving mitochondrial genome-encoded genes. The authors caution that potential health risks from these intracortical transcriptomic modifications should not be downplayed and note uncertainties about longer exposures and other populations.
The CB1R of mPFC is involved in anxiety-like behavior induced by 0.8/2.65 GHz dual-frequency electromagnetic radiation
This animal study reports that dual-frequency RF EMR exposure (0.8/2.65 GHz, 4 W/kg) induced anxiety-like behavior in mice. It also reports reduced CB1R and endocannabinoid levels in the mPFC and altered endocannabinoid system markers in the BLA. CB1R overexpression or knockdown in the mPFC reportedly decreased or increased anxiety-like behavior, respectively, suggesting a mechanistic link in this model.
The Frequency of a Magnetic Field Determines the Behavior of Tumor and Non-Tumor Nerve Cell Models
This in vitro study exposed glioblastoma (CT2A), neuroblastoma (N2A), and non-tumor astrocyte (C8D1A) cell models to a 100 μT magnetic field across 20–100 Hz for 24–72 hours. The abstract reports decreased viability and proliferation in the tumor cell models within a frequency window centered at 50 Hz, while astrocyte viability increased at 20 and 40 Hz. The authors conclude that frequency is a key determinant of cell-type-specific responses consistent with a “biological window” model.
Effects of moderate static magnetic fields on voltage-gated potassium ion channels in sympathetic neuron-like PC12 cells
This in vitro study examined effects of moderate static magnetic field exposure on sympathetic neuron-like PC12 cells. The authors report a significant reduction in voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channel current density after 18 hours of exposure, with the reduction persisting after the field was removed. RNA sequencing identified 37 SMF-sensitive genes and pathway analyses suggested upregulation of signaling associated with reduced neuronal excitability.
Sensation of electric fields in the Drosophila melanogaster larva
This animal study reports that Drosophila melanogaster larvae can sense electric fields and exhibit robust electrotaxis toward the cathode in controlled environments. The authors identify head-tip sensory neurons required for this behavior and report calcium-imaging evidence that Gr66a-positive neurons encode field strength and orientation. The work supports electrosensation as a functional sensory modality in Drosophila larvae and demonstrates measurable neural and behavioral responses to electric fields under the studied conditions.
The Impact of Mobile Phone Electromagnetic Waves on the Neurons and Blood Brain Barrier Integrity in the Chick Embryo
This animal study exposed chick embryos to electromagnetic waves from a mobile phone and compared them with unexposed controls. Electron microscopy on days 10 and 15 reported neuronal and cerebellar cellular alterations in the exposed group, including features described as apoptosis and mitochondrial swelling. The authors also report compromised blood-brain barrier integrity and conclude the exposure adversely affects brain development.