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In-vitro exposure of neuronal networks to the GSM-1800 signal.

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Moretti D, Garenne A, Haro E, Poulletier de Gannes F, Lagroye I, Lévêque P, Veyret B, Lewis N · 2013

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In a pilot study, a 3-minute exposure to a GSM-1800 signal was associated with a 30% reversible decrease in the firing and bursting rates of neuronal networks.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers developed a dedicated experimental setup for the simultaneous exposure of neuronal networks and monitoring of electrical activity. In this pilot study on 16 cultures, there was a 30% reversible decrease in firing rate and bursting rate during a 3-minute exposure. The researchers noted that additional experiments are needed to further characterize this effect.

Why This Matters

The study used a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) cell to expose the neuronal networks to GSM-1800 signals at a SAR level of 3.2 W/kg. Electrical activity was recorded and extracellular spikes and bursts were detected using microelectrode arrays. The authors described this work as providing proof of feasibility and preliminary results, covering the exposure setup, culture of the neuronal network, recording of the electrical activity, and analysis of the signals obtained under RF exposure. The observed decrease in firing and bursting rate was described as reversible, though the authors indicated that further study is needed.

Exposure Details

SAR
3.2 W/kg
Source/Device
1,800 MHz
Exposure Duration
3 minutes

Exposure Context

This study used 3.2 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 ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 3.2 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)This level is 2 times the FCC limit
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 1.80 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 1.80 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

To test the feasibility of studying the electrical activity of neuronal networks under radio frequency-exposure at 1800 MHz in vitro.

Our research group has developed a dedicated experimental setup in the GHz range for the simultaneou...

This work provides the proof of feasibility and preliminary results of the integrated investigation ...

Additional experiments are needed to further characterize this effect.

Cite This Study
Moretti D, Garenne A, Haro E, Poulletier de Gannes F, Lagroye I, Lévêque P, Veyret B, Lewis N (2013). In-vitro exposure of neuronal networks to the GSM-1800 signal. Bioelectromagnetics. 34(8):571-578, 2013.
Show BibTeX
@article{d_2013_invitro_exposure_of_neuronal_147,
  author = {Moretti D and Garenne A and Haro E and Poulletier de Gannes F and Lagroye I and Lévêque P and Veyret B and Lewis N},
  title = {In-vitro exposure of neuronal networks to the GSM-1800 signal.},
  year = {2013},
  doi = {10.1002/bem.21805},
  url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bem.21805},
}
DOI: 10.1002/bem.21805

Cited By (28 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

The study examined neuronal networks, whose electrical activity was recorded under radio frequency exposure.
Neuronal networks were exposed to GSM-1800 signals at a SAR level of 3.2 W/kg using a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) cell.
In 16 cultures, there was a 30% reversible decrease in firing rate and bursting rate during a 3-minute exposure to the radio frequency signal.
Electrical activity was recorded and extracellular spikes and bursts were detected using microelectrode arrays.
The authors described the work as a pilot study providing proof of feasibility and stated that additional experiments are needed to further characterize the observed effect.