Electromagnetic pulse exposure induces neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier disruption by

Abstract

Electromagnetic pulse exposure induces neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier disruption by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome/NF-κB signaling pathway in mice Lin Y, Lang H, Gao P, Miao X, Guo Q, Hao Y, Ai T, Li J, Zhang J, Guo G. Electromagnetic pulse exposure induces neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier disruption by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome/NF-κB signaling pathway in mice. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 Feb 27;292:117972. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.117972. Abstract The electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is a widespread electromagnetic disturbance that can disrupt electronic systems and pose health risks to personnel in operational areas. The biological effects of EMP radiation, especially on the central nervous system (CNS), are not yet fully understood but are gaining attention. This study examines the impact of EMP on the CNS using microglial cells as a model system. We found that mice exposed to a field strength of 600 kV/m with 1000 pulses per day for two weeks exhibited increased levels of oxidative stress. This exposure induced a microglia polarization to the M1 state, leading to neuroinflammation and disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) by the pro- inflammatory response of microglia. Further analysis revealed that the NLRP3 inflammasome/NF-κB signaling pathway modulates the pro-inflammatory mechanisms of EMP irradiation. In conclusion, our findings show that EMP irradiation triggers neuroinflammation and BBB damage via NLRP3 inflammasome/NF-κB activation. This research highlights the effects of EMP radiation on the CNS and offers valuable insights into the potential targets for biomedical protection against it. Open access paper: sciencedirect.com

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Mice exposed to EMP (field strength 600 kV/m; 1000 pulses/day for two weeks) showed increased oxidative stress, microglial polarization toward the M1 state, neuroinflammation, and blood-brain barrier disruption. The study reports involvement of the NLRP3 inflammasome/NF-κB signaling pathway in these pro-inflammatory effects.

Outcomes measured

• oxidative stress
• microglia polarization (M1)
• neuroinflammation
• blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption
• NLRP3 inflammasome activation
• NF-κB signaling activation

Limitations

• No sample size reported in the provided abstract/metadata
• No EMP frequency/spectral characteristics reported in the provided abstract/metadata
• Exposure metrics beyond field strength and pulse count (e.g., pulse width, repetition rate details, dosimetry/SAR) not reported in the provided abstract/metadata
• Findings are from an animal model (mice), limiting direct human generalizability

Suggested hubs

• occupational-exposure (0.55)
  Abstract frames EMP as a disturbance posing health risks to personnel in operational areas and studies biological effects of EMP exposure.

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        "source": "electromagnetic pulse (EMP)",
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        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "1000 pulses/day for 2 weeks"
    },
    "population": "mice",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "oxidative stress",
        "microglia polarization (M1)",
        "neuroinflammation",
        "blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption",
        "NLRP3 inflammasome activation",
        "NF-κB signaling activation"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Mice exposed to EMP (field strength 600 kV/m; 1000 pulses/day for two weeks) showed increased oxidative stress, microglial polarization toward the M1 state, neuroinflammation, and blood-brain barrier disruption. The study reports involvement of the NLRP3 inflammasome/NF-κB signaling pathway in these pro-inflammatory effects.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "No sample size reported in the provided abstract/metadata",
        "No EMP frequency/spectral characteristics reported in the provided abstract/metadata",
        "Exposure metrics beyond field strength and pulse count (e.g., pulse width, repetition rate details, dosimetry/SAR) not reported in the provided abstract/metadata",
        "Findings are from an animal model (mice), limiting direct human generalizability"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "electromagnetic pulse",
        "EMP",
        "mice",
        "central nervous system",
        "microglia",
        "M1 polarization",
        "oxidative stress",
        "neuroinflammation",
        "blood-brain barrier",
        "NLRP3 inflammasome",
        "NF-κB"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.5500000000000000444089209850062616169452667236328125,
            "reason": "Abstract frames EMP as a disturbance posing health risks to personnel in operational areas and studies biological effects of EMP exposure."
        }
    ]
}

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