Fetal radiofrequency radiation exposure from 800-1900 mhz-rated cellular telephones affects neurodevelopment and behavior in mice

Abstract

Neurobehavioral disorders are increasingly prevalent in children, however their etiology is not well understood. An association between prenatal cellular telephone use and hyperactivity in children has been postulated, yet the direct effects of radiofrequency radiation exposure on neurodevelopment remain unknown. Here we used a mouse model to demonstrate that in-utero radiofrequency exposure from cellular telephones does affect adult behavior. Mice exposed in-utero were hyperactive and had impaired memory as determined using the object recognition, light/dark box and step-down assays. Whole cell patch clamp recordings of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) revealed that these behavioral changes were due to altered neuronal developmental programming. Exposed mice had dose-responsive impaired glutamatergic synaptic transmission onto layer V pyramidal neurons of the prefrontal cortex. We present the first experimental evidence of neuropathology due to in-utero cellular telephone radiation. Further experiments are needed in humans or non-human primates to determine the risk of exposure during pregnancy.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In a mouse model, in-utero exposure to radiofrequency radiation from cellular telephones was associated with hyperactivity and impaired memory in adulthood on behavioral assays. Electrophysiology showed dose-responsive impaired glutamatergic synaptic transmission onto layer V pyramidal neurons of the prefrontal cortex, consistent with altered neuronal developmental programming.

Outcomes measured

• adult behavior
• hyperactivity
• impaired memory
• mEPSCs
• glutamatergic synaptic transmission
• neuronal developmental programming
• prefrontal cortex layer V pyramidal neuron function

Limitations

• Animal study
• Sample size not stated in the abstract
• Exposure details such as exact frequency and SAR are not reported in the abstract
• Authors note that further experiments are needed in humans or non-human primates

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "in-utero/prenatal exposure"
    },
    "population": "Mice exposed in utero to cellular telephone radiofrequency radiation",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "adult behavior",
        "hyperactivity",
        "impaired memory",
        "mEPSCs",
        "glutamatergic synaptic transmission",
        "neuronal developmental programming",
        "prefrontal cortex layer V pyramidal neuron function"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In a mouse model, in-utero exposure to radiofrequency radiation from cellular telephones was associated with hyperactivity and impaired memory in adulthood on behavioral assays. Electrophysiology showed dose-responsive impaired glutamatergic synaptic transmission onto layer V pyramidal neurons of the prefrontal cortex, consistent with altered neuronal developmental programming.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Animal study",
        "Sample size not stated in the abstract",
        "Exposure details such as exact frequency and SAR are not reported in the abstract",
        "Authors note that further experiments are needed in humans or non-human primates"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.9499999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "mouse model",
        "prenatal exposure",
        "in utero",
        "radiofrequency radiation",
        "cellular telephone",
        "neurodevelopment",
        "behavior",
        "hyperactivity",
        "memory impairment",
        "glutamatergic synaptic transmission",
        "prefrontal cortex"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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