Blood-brain barrier and electromagnetic fields: Effects of scopolamine methylbromide on working memory after whole-body exposure to 2.45GHz microwaves in rats.
Cosquer B, Vasconcelos AP, Frohlich J, Cassel JC. · 2005
View Original AbstractThis study found no blood-brain barrier damage from 45-minute WiFi-frequency exposure at levels exceeding typical phone use.
Plain English Summary
Researchers tested whether 2.45 GHz microwaves (WiFi frequency) could damage the blood-brain barrier, a protective shield preventing harmful substances from entering the brain. After exposing rats for 45 minutes, they found no evidence that microwave radiation weakened this critical brain protection system.
Why This Matters
This study addresses a crucial question in EMF research: whether wireless radiation can compromise the blood-brain barrier, potentially allowing toxins and other harmful substances to reach brain tissue. The blood-brain barrier serves as your brain's security system, and any disruption could have serious neurological consequences. The researchers used exposure levels (SAR of 2-3 W/kg) that exceed typical cell phone use but fall within ranges that could occur during prolonged device use or in areas with multiple wireless sources. While this particular study found no blood-brain barrier disruption, it represents just one investigation using specific parameters. The broader body of research on EMF effects includes studies that have found blood-brain barrier changes under different conditions, reminding us that the science on EMF biological effects continues to evolve and that exposure minimization remains a prudent approach.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 2, 3 W/kg
- Source/Device
- 2.45 GHz
- Exposure Duration
- 45-minutes
Exposure Context
This study used 2, 3 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):
- 5x above the Building Biology guideline of 0.4 W/kg
Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.
Where This Falls on the Concern Scale
Study Details
The aim of this study is to investigate Blood-brain barrier and electromagnetic fields: Effects of scopolamine methylbromide on working memory after whole-body exposure to 2.45GHz microwaves in rats.
We first verified that our 12-arm radial maze test enabled demonstration of memory deficits in rats ...
Whether scopolamine MBR was injected before or after exposure, the exposed rats did not perform diff...
Thus, EMFs most probably failed to disrupt the BBB. This conclusion was further supported by the absence of Evans blue extravasation into the brain parenchyma of our exposed rats.
Show BibTeX
@article{b_2005_bloodbrain_barrier_and_electromagnetic_911,
author = {Cosquer B and Vasconcelos AP and Frohlich J and Cassel JC.},
title = {Blood-brain barrier and electromagnetic fields: Effects of scopolamine methylbromide on working memory after whole-body exposure to 2.45GHz microwaves in rats.},
year = {2005},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15922049/},
}