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Immunohistochemical localization of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in the superior olivary complex of mice after radiofrequency exposure

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Maskey D, Kim MJ · 2014

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Radiofrequency exposure at a specific absorption rate of 1.6 W/kg was associated with significant decreases in BDNF and GDNF levels in auditory brain nuclei of mice.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers applied radiofrequency at a specific absorption rate of 1.6 W/kg or 0 W/kg to mice to study the distribution of BDNF and GDNF in the nuclei of the superior olivary complex. In the exposed group, significant reductions in BDNF immunoreactivity were noted in the lateral superior olive, medial superior olive, superior paraolivary nucleus, and medial nucleus of the trapezoid body. GDNF immunoreactivity was also significantly decreased (p < 0.001) in all superior olivary complex nuclei of the exposed group. The researchers suggested that the decrease in these neurotrophic factors in the superior olivary complex suggests a detrimental effect of RF exposure in the auditory nuclei.

Why This Matters

The study compared mice in the 1.6 W/kg group against a control group receiving 0 W/kg, measuring BDNF and GDNF in auditory brain regions. Both neurotrophic factors showed significant reductions in the exposed mice, with GDNF reaching a significance level of p < 0.001 across all measured nuclei. The researchers interpreted these findings as suggesting a detrimental effect of RF exposure in the auditory nuclei.

Exposure Details

SAR
1.6 or 0 W/kg
Source/Device
835 MHz
Exposure Duration
continuous for 8 h/day for 3 months

Exposure Context

This study used 1.6 or 0 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: 1.6 or 0 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)This level is 1 times the FCC limit
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 835 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 835 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The present study applied radiofrequency at a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 1.6 W/kg (E1.6) or 0 W/kg group to determine the distribution of BDNF and GDNF in the nuclei of superior olivary complex (SOC).

In the E1.6 group, significant decrements of BDNF immunoreactivity (IR) were noted in the lateral su...

Cite This Study
Maskey D, Kim MJ (2014). Immunohistochemical localization of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in the superior olivary complex of mice after radiofrequency exposure Neuroscience Letters. 564:78-82, 2014.
Show BibTeX
@article{d_2014_immunohistochemical_localization_of_brainderived_140,
  author = {Maskey D and Kim MJ},
  title = {Immunohistochemical localization of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in the superior olivary complex of mice after radiofrequency exposure},
  year = {2014},
  
  url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304394014001086},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

The study examined the superior olivary complex, including the lateral superior olive, medial superior olive, superior paraolivary nucleus, and medial nucleus of the trapezoid body.
Radiofrequency was applied at a specific absorption rate of 1.6 W/kg, with a control group at 0 W/kg.
GDNF immunoreactivity was significantly decreased (p < 0.001) in all superior olivary complex nuclei of the exposed group.
The decrease in neurotrophic factors in the superior olivary complex suggests a detrimental effect of RF exposure in the auditory nuclei.