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The effect of pulsed electromagnetic radiation from mobile phone on the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters in four different areas of rat brain

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Aboul Ezz HS, Khadrawy YA, Ahmed NA, Radwan NM, El Bakry MM · 2013

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Cell phone radiation disrupted brain chemicals controlling mood and memory in rats at exposure levels similar to typical phone use.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation (1800 MHz) for 24 hours daily over 1-4 months and measured key brain chemicals called neurotransmitters in four brain regions. The radiation significantly altered levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin - chemicals that control mood, memory, learning, and stress responses. These changes persisted even after radiation exposure stopped, suggesting that chronic cell phone use may disrupt normal brain chemistry.

Why This Matters

This study provides compelling evidence that cell phone radiation can alter fundamental brain chemistry at the cellular level. The researchers used an SAR of 0.843 W/kg, which is well within current safety limits and comparable to typical cell phone use. What makes this research particularly significant is that the neurotransmitter disruptions occurred across multiple brain regions and persisted even after exposure ended, suggesting these aren't temporary effects that simply resolve when you put your phone down. The affected neurotransmitters - dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin - are critical for cognitive function, mood regulation, and stress response. This offers a biological mechanism that could explain the memory problems, learning difficulties, and increased stress many people report with heavy cell phone use. The science demonstrates that EMF exposure can reach into the most fundamental aspects of brain function, affecting the chemical messengers that govern how we think and feel.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.843 W/kg
Power Density
0.02 µW/m²
Source/Device
1800 MHz EMR
Exposure Duration
24h for 1,2 and 4 months

Exposure Context

This study used 0.02 µW/m² for radio frequency:

This study used 0.843 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: 0.02 µW/m²Extreme Concern - 1,000 uW/m2FCC Limit - 10M uW/m2Effects observed in the No Concern rangeFCC limit is 500,000,000x higher than this level
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

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of EMR on the concentrations of dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT) in the hippocampus, hypothalamus, midbrain and medulla oblongata of adult rats.

Adult rats were exposed daily to EMR (frequency 1800 MHz, specific absorption rate 0.843 W/kg, power...

The exposure to EMR resulted in significant changes in DA, NE and 5-HT in the four selected areas of...

The exposure of adult rats to EMR may cause disturbances in monoamine neurotransmitters and this may underlie many of the adverse effects reported after EMR including memory, learning, and stress

Cite This Study
Aboul Ezz HS, Khadrawy YA, Ahmed NA, Radwan NM, El Bakry MM (2013). The effect of pulsed electromagnetic radiation from mobile phone on the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters in four different areas of rat brain Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 17(13):1782-1788, 2013.
Show BibTeX
@article{hs_2013_the_effect_of_pulsed_58,
  author = {Aboul Ezz HS and Khadrawy YA and Ahmed NA and Radwan NM and El Bakry MM},
  title = {The effect of pulsed electromagnetic radiation from mobile phone on the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters in four different areas of rat brain},
  year = {2013},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23852905},
}
PubMed: 23852905

Cited By (45 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, research shows cell phone radiation can alter brain chemistry. A 2013 study found that 1800 MHz radiation significantly changed levels of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine in rat brains after chronic exposure, potentially affecting mood, memory, and learning functions.
Research indicates phone radiation can alter dopamine levels in the brain. A study exposing rats to 1800 MHz cell phone radiation for up to four months found significant changes in dopamine and other neurotransmitters that persisted even after exposure ended.
Cell phone EMF may negatively impact memory function by disrupting brain neurotransmitters. Research found that chronic exposure to 1800 MHz radiation altered brain chemicals responsible for memory and learning, with researchers linking these changes to cognitive impairments.
Cell phone radiation significantly disrupts neurotransmitter levels in multiple brain regions. Studies show 1800 MHz EMF exposure alters dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine levels, which are crucial chemicals that regulate mood, stress responses, memory, and learning processes.
Phone radiation may disrupt normal brain chemistry and function. Research demonstrates that chronic exposure to cell phone EMF can alter neurotransmitter levels in the brain, potentially leading to problems with memory, learning, mood regulation, and stress responses.