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Radiofrequency fields, transthyretin, and Alzheimer's disease.

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Söderqvist F, Hardell L, Carlberg M, Mild KH · 2010

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Cell phone radiation at regulatory limits increased a brain-protective protein by 30%, suggesting complex biological effects beyond simple harm.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed 41 people to cell phone radiation for 30 minutes and found increased levels of transthyretin, a protein that helps prevent Alzheimer's disease by blocking harmful brain plaques. This suggests certain radiofrequency exposures might offer protective effects against Alzheimer's.

Why This Matters

This study presents an intriguing twist in the EMF health debate by suggesting potential cognitive benefits from radiofrequency exposure. The research builds on animal studies showing that RF exposure reduced Alzheimer's-related brain plaques in mice, and proposes that increased transthyretin production might explain these protective effects. The exposure level used (1.0 W/kg SAR) is at the regulatory limit for cell phones, making these findings directly relevant to everyday phone use. However, this single study shouldn't be interpreted as proof that cell phone radiation prevents Alzheimer's disease. The reality is that EMF research reveals complex biological interactions that we're still working to understand. While these findings are noteworthy, they don't negate the substantial body of research documenting concerning health effects from chronic EMF exposure, particularly regarding cancer risk and neurological symptoms.

Exposure Details

SAR
1 W/kg
Source/Device
890-MHz GSM
Exposure Duration
30 min

Exposure Context

This study used 1 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 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern rangeFCC limit is 2x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 890 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 890 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

Radiofrequency field (RF) exposure provided cognitive benefits in an animal study. In Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice, exposure reduced brain amyloid-beta (Abeta) deposition through decreased aggregation of Abeta and increase in soluble Abeta levels. Based on our studies on humans on RF from wireless phones, we propose that transthyretin (TTR) might explain the findings.

In a cross-sectional study on 313 subjects, we used serum TTR as a marker of cerebrospinal fluid TTR...

We found a statistically significantly positive beta coefficient for TTR for time since first use of...

Studies have shown that patients with AD have lowered TTR concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid and have attributed the onset of AD to insufficient sequestering of Abeta by TTR. We propose that TTR might be involved in the findings of RF exposure benefit in AD mice.

Cite This Study
Söderqvist F, Hardell L, Carlberg M, Mild KH (2010). Radiofrequency fields, transthyretin, and Alzheimer's disease. J Alzheimers Dis. 20(2):599-606, 2010.
Show BibTeX
@article{f_2010_radiofrequency_fields_transthyretin_and_1332,
  author = {Söderqvist F and Hardell L and Carlberg M and Mild KH},
  title = {Radiofrequency fields, transthyretin, and Alzheimer's disease.},
  year = {2010},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20164553/},
}
PubMed: 20164553

Cited By (19 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2010 study found that 30 minutes of 890 MHz GSM exposure at 1.0 W/kg significantly increased serum transthyretin levels in 41 people. This protein helps prevent Alzheimer's by blocking harmful brain plaques, suggesting potential protective effects.
Research suggests it might. A study found that GSM radiation increased transthyretin, a protein that sequesters amyloid-beta and prevents plaque formation in the brain. Lower transthyretin levels are associated with Alzheimer's disease development.
Transthyretin levels increased significantly 60 minutes after 30-minute exposure to 890 MHz GSM radiation. The study measured serum levels one hour post-exposure and found statistically significant increases in this Alzheimer's-protective protein.
The study used a specific absorption rate of 1.0 Watt per kilogram applied to the temporal brain area. This SAR level during 890 MHz GSM exposure produced measurable increases in protective transthyretin protein levels.
Yes, the study found similar effects from both mobile phones and desktop cordless phones on transthyretin levels. Combined use of these devices showed statistically significant positive associations with this Alzheimer's-protective protein.