Alterations of cognitive function and 5-HT system in rats after long term microwave exposure.
Li H, Peng R, Wang C, Qiao S, Yong-Zou, Gao Y, Xu X, Wang S, Dong J, Zuo H, Li-Zhao, Zhou H, Wang L, Hu X. · 2014
View Original AbstractChronic microwave exposure at 2.856 GHz caused dose-dependent learning and memory deficits in rats through disruption of brain serotonin systems.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed rats to WiFi-like microwave radiation (2.856 GHz) for six weeks and found dose-dependent learning and memory problems, plus brain damage in the hippocampus. The study shows that chronic low-level microwave exposure can impair brain function through disrupted brain chemistry.
Why This Matters
This study provides compelling evidence that chronic microwave exposure at frequencies commonly used in wireless technology can cause measurable brain dysfunction. The researchers found cognitive deficits at power densities as low as 5 mW/cm2, which is within the range of some wireless devices during active transmission. What makes this research particularly significant is that it identifies a specific biological mechanism - disruption of the serotonin system - that could explain how EMF exposure leads to neurological problems. The dose-dependent response they observed, where higher exposure levels caused more severe effects, strengthens the case for a causal relationship rather than coincidence. This adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that our current safety standards, which only consider heating effects, may be inadequate to protect against the biological effects of chronic low-level exposure.
Exposure Details
- Power Density
- 5,10,20,30 µW/m²
- Source/Device
- 2.856 GHz
- Exposure Duration
- continuous for 6 min. 3 times/week for 6 weeks
Exposure Context
This study used 5,10,20,30 µW/m² for radio frequency:
- 500Mx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.1 μW/m²
- 8.3Mx above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 0.0006 μW/cm²
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 Details
In this study, we focused on the serotonin system and evaluated the long term effects of chronic microwave radiation on cognition and correlated items.
Wistar rats were exposed or sham exposed to 2.856 GHz microwaves with the average power density of 5...
We demonstrated that chronic exposure to microwave (2.856 GHz, with the average power density of 5, ...
The results suggested that in the long-term way, chronic microwave exposure could induce cognitive deficit and 5-HT system may be involved in it.
Show BibTeX
@article{h_2014_alterations_of_cognitive_function_124,
author = {Li H and Peng R and Wang C and Qiao S and Yong-Zou and Gao Y and Xu X and Wang S and Dong J and Zuo H and Li-Zhao and Zhou H and Wang L and Hu X.},
title = {Alterations of cognitive function and 5-HT system in rats after long term microwave exposure.},
year = {2014},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0031938414006635},
}