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Ten gigahertz microwave radiation impairs spatial memory, enzymes activity, and histopathology of developing mice brain.

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Sharma A, Kesari KK, Saxena VK, Sisodia R. · 2017

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Two weeks of microwave exposure caused lasting brain damage and memory problems in young mice, highlighting risks to developing nervous systems.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed young mice to 10 GHz microwave radiation (similar to some WiFi and cellular frequencies) for 2 hours daily over 15 days and found significant damage to developing brains. The exposed mice showed impaired spatial memory, disrupted brain chemistry, and visible tissue damage in key brain regions including the hippocampus. These effects persisted weeks after exposure ended, suggesting the developing brain is particularly vulnerable to microwave radiation.

Why This Matters

This study adds to growing evidence that developing brains face heightened vulnerability to microwave radiation. The 10 GHz frequency falls within ranges used by modern wireless technologies, and the researchers found both immediate and lasting neurological damage from relatively brief daily exposures. What makes this research particularly concerning is that the effects persisted long after exposure stopped, indicating potential permanent changes to brain development. The science demonstrates that young, developing nervous systems cannot adequately defend against microwave radiation exposure. While we don't know the exact power levels used in this study, the reality is that children today face chronic exposure to similar frequencies from WiFi routers, cell phones, and other wireless devices during critical developmental windows.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 10 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 10 GHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 10 GHz Duration: 2 h/day for 15 consecutive days

Study Details

The objective of the present study was to explore the effects of 10 GHz microwave radiation on developing mice brain

Two weeks old mice were selected and divided into two groups (i) sham-exposed and (ii) microwave-exp...

Body weight result showed significant changes immediately after treatment, whereas non-significant c...

Results from the present study concludes that the brain of 2 weeks aged mice was very sensitive to microwave exposure as observed immediately after exposure and during follow-up study at 6 weeks of age.

Cite This Study
Sharma A, Kesari KK, Saxena VK, Sisodia R. (2017). Ten gigahertz microwave radiation impairs spatial memory, enzymes activity, and histopathology of developing mice brain. Mol Cell Biochem. 2017 May 3. doi: 10.1007/s11010-017-3051-8.
Show BibTeX
@article{a_2017_ten_gigahertz_microwave_radiation_1706,
  author = {Sharma A and Kesari KK and Saxena VK and Sisodia R.},
  title = {Ten gigahertz microwave radiation impairs spatial memory, enzymes activity, and histopathology of developing mice brain.},
  year = {2017},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28470342/},
}
PubMed: 28470342

Cited By (25 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2017 study found that 2-hour daily exposure to 10 GHz microwave radiation significantly impaired spatial memory in developing mice. The memory problems persisted weeks after exposure ended, with mice struggling to locate platforms in maze tests compared to unexposed animals.
Research shows 10 GHz microwave exposure causes visible tissue damage in the hippocampus of young mice. The study found significant histopathological changes in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, along with damage to the cerebral cortex and cerebellum after 15 days of exposure.
Fifteen days of 10 GHz microwave radiation significantly altered brain antioxidant enzymes in young mice. The study found disrupted levels of glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase, indicating oxidative stress damage that persisted even weeks after the exposure period ended.
Yes, researchers concluded that 2-week-old mice brains are very sensitive to 10 GHz microwave exposure. The developing brains showed immediate damage from radiation exposure, with effects including memory impairment, brain chemistry disruption, and tissue damage that persisted into adulthood.
A 2017 study found that 10 GHz microwave exposure causes persistent brain chemistry changes in developing mice. Significant alterations in lipid peroxidation, protein levels, and antioxidant enzyme activity were observed both immediately after exposure and weeks later at follow-up testing.