3,138 Studies Reviewed. 77.4% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.

Chronic 835 MHz radiofrequency exposure to mice hippocampus alters the distribution of calbindin and GFAP immunoreactivity.

Bioeffects Seen

Maskey D, Pradhan J, Aryal B, Lee CM, Choi IY, Park KS, Kim SB, Kim HG, Kim MJ. · 2010

View Original Abstract
Share:

Three months of cell phone-level RF exposure caused brain cell death and inflammation in the memory center of mice brains.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed mice to cell phone radiation (835 MHz) for three months and found brain cell death and inflammation in the hippocampus, the brain's memory center. This demonstrates that chronic exposure to radiofrequency levels similar to cell phones can damage critical brain areas.

Why This Matters

This research adds to a growing body of evidence showing that radiofrequency radiation affects brain structure at the cellular level. The 1.6 W/kg SAR used in this study is within the range of typical cell phone emissions, making these findings directly relevant to daily device use. What makes this study particularly significant is that it identified specific markers of brain damage - both cell death and inflammatory responses - in the hippocampus, which is essential for forming new memories. The researchers found that chronic exposure triggered reactive astrocytosis, a well-known indicator of brain injury where support cells multiply in response to neuronal damage. This type of detailed cellular analysis provides concrete evidence that RF radiation isn't just harmless energy passing through tissue, but can cause measurable biological changes in one of our most vital organs.

Exposure Details

SAR
1.6 W/kg
Source/Device
835-MHz
Exposure Duration
3 months

Exposure Context

This study used 1.6 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):

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 Exposure Level in ContextA logarithmic scale showing exposure levels relative to Building Biology concern thresholds and regulatory limits.Study Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 1.6 W/kgExtreme Concern0.1 W/kgFCC Limit1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 1x higher than this exposure level

Study Details

In the present study, we investigated the effect of RF exposure on rat hippocampus at 835 MHz with low energy (specific absorption rate: SAR = 1.6 W/kg) for 3 months by using both CB and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) specific antibodies by immunohistochemical method.

Decrease in CB immunoreactivity (IR) was noted in exposed (E1.6) group with loss of interneurons and...

Chronic RF exposure to the rat brain suggested that the decrease of CB IR accompanying apoptosis and increase of GFAP IR might be morphological parameters in the hippocampus damages.

Cite This Study
Maskey D, Pradhan J, Aryal B, Lee CM, Choi IY, Park KS, Kim SB, Kim HG, Kim MJ. (2010). Chronic 835 MHz radiofrequency exposure to mice hippocampus alters the distribution of calbindin and GFAP immunoreactivity. Brain Res 1346:237-246, 2010.
Show BibTeX
@article{d_2010_chronic_835_mhz_radiofrequency_1188,
  author = {Maskey D and Pradhan J and Aryal B and Lee CM and Choi IY and Park KS and Kim SB and Kim HG and Kim MJ. },
  title = {Chronic 835 MHz radiofrequency exposure to mice hippocampus alters the distribution of calbindin and GFAP immunoreactivity.},
  year = {2010},
  
  url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S000689931001190X},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Researchers exposed mice to cell phone radiation (835 MHz) for three months and found brain cell death and inflammation in the hippocampus, the brain's memory center. This demonstrates that chronic exposure to radiofrequency levels similar to cell phones can damage critical brain areas.