8,700 Studies Reviewed. 87.0% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Shield Your Body
Brain & Nervous System117 citations

Chronic prenatal exposure to the 900 megahertz electromagnetic field induces pyramidal cell loss in the hippocampus of newborn rats

Bioeffects Seen

Bas O, Odaci E, Mollaoglu H, Ucok K, Kaplan S · 2009

Share:

Prenatal exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic fields was associated with significant pyramidal cell loss in the hippocampus of newborn rats, though the mechanism remains unclear.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This study examined the effects of prenatal exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic fields on hippocampal development in rats. Pregnant rats were exposed to the electromagnetic field during gestation days 1-19, and their offspring were analyzed at 4 weeks of age. The researchers found that prenatal electromagnetic field exposure significantly reduced the total number of pyramidal cells in the cornu ammonis region of the hippocampus compared to controls.

Why This Matters

This study uses a rodent model to investigate potential neurodevelopmental effects of mobile phone frequency exposure during a critical prenatal period. The hippocampus is a brain region important for learning and memory, making pyramidal cell changes potentially significant for neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Bas O, Odaci E, Mollaoglu H, Ucok K, Kaplan S (2009). Chronic prenatal exposure to the 900 megahertz electromagnetic field induces pyramidal cell loss in the hippocampus of newborn rats.
Show BibTeX
@article{chronic_prenatal_exposure_to_the_900_megahertz_electromagnetic_field_induces_pyramidal_cell_loss_in_the_hippocampus_of_newborn_rats_ce3615,
  author = {Bas O and Odaci E and Mollaoglu H and Ucok K and Kaplan S},
  title = {Chronic prenatal exposure to the 900 megahertz electromagnetic field induces pyramidal cell loss in the hippocampus of newborn rats},
  year = {2009},
  doi = {10.1016/j.brainres.2009.02.011},
  
}
DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2009.02.011PubMed: 19671630

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, this study found that 28 days of daily 900 MHz exposure caused significant pyramidal cell death in the hippocampus of young rats. The cell loss was both statistically significant and visible under microscopic examination.
Just one hour per day for 28 days caused measurable brain cell loss. This exposure duration is actually conservative compared to typical teenage smartphone usage patterns, which often exceed several hours daily.
The hippocampus, specifically the cornu ammonis (CA) region containing pyramidal cells. This brain area is crucial for memory formation, learning, and spatial navigation, making the cell loss particularly concerning for cognitive function.
Yes, the SAR levels ranged from 0.016 W/kg whole-body to 2 W/kg locally in the head. These levels are within the range of typical cell phone exposure during calls and data use.
Yes, they used both unexposed controls and sham-exposed rats that spent time in the exposure apparatus without EMF activation. This design helps eliminate stress or environmental factors as alternative explanations for the findings.