Blood-brain barrier permeability in rats exposed to electromagnetic fields used in wireless communication.
Persson BRR, Salford LG, Brun A · 1997
View Original AbstractMicrowave radiation at cell phone frequencies doubled the rate of blood-brain barrier damage in rats, potentially compromising brain protection.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed rats to 915 MHz microwave radiation (similar to cell phone frequencies) for periods ranging from 2 minutes to 16 hours and examined whether this damaged the blood-brain barrier, a critical protective shield that prevents toxins from entering brain tissue. They found that 39% of exposed rats showed abnormal leakage in their blood-brain barrier compared to only 17% of unexposed control rats. This suggests that wireless communication frequencies can compromise the brain's natural protective barrier, potentially allowing harmful substances to reach brain cells.
Why This Matters
This 1997 study represents foundational research demonstrating that radiofrequency radiation can breach one of the brain's most critical defense mechanisms. The blood-brain barrier acts like a selective security checkpoint, allowing nutrients through while blocking toxins and pathogens. When this barrier becomes compromised, as shown in over twice as many exposed animals, it creates a pathway for potentially harmful substances to reach brain tissue. What makes this research particularly significant is that the 915 MHz frequency used closely matches those employed in early cell phones and continues to be used in modern wireless devices. The study's large sample size of over 1,000 rats and consistent methodology strengthen the reliability of these concerning findings. While we can't directly extrapolate animal results to humans, this research adds important evidence to the growing body of science suggesting that chronic EMF exposure may have neurological implications that deserve serious consideration in our increasingly wireless world.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 915 MHz Duration: 2 min to 960 min
Study Details
To study the permeability of blood‐brain barrier permeability in rats exposed to electromagnetic fields used in wireless communication
Biological effects of radio frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) on the blood‐brain barrier (BBB) ...
The frequency of pathological rats is significantly increased (p < 0.0001) from 62/372 (ratio: 0.17 ...
Show BibTeX
@article{brr_1997_bloodbrain_barrier_permeability_in_2521,
author = {Persson BRR and Salford LG and Brun A},
title = {Blood-brain barrier permeability in rats exposed to electromagnetic fields used in wireless communication.},
year = {1997},
doi = {10.1023/A:1019150510840},
url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1019150510840},
}