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Acute Neuroinflammation Promotes Cell Responses to 1800 MHz GSM Electromagnetic Fields in the Rat Cerebral Cortex.

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Lameth J, Gervais A, Colin C, Lévêque P, Jay TM, Edeline JM, Mallat M. · 2017

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Cell phone radiation can disrupt the brain's inflammatory response by 50-60%, potentially interfering with natural healing processes during illness or injury.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Scientists exposed rats to cell phone radiation (1800 MHz) for 2 hours and found it reduced brain inflammation markers by 50-60% when the brain was already inflamed. The changes were temporary, lasting less than 72 hours, suggesting radiation may alter how inflamed brain tissue responds.

Why This Matters

This study reveals something significant: cell phone radiation doesn't just affect healthy brain tissue, it can alter how your brain responds when it's already stressed or inflamed. The researchers used a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 2.9 W/kg, which is higher than current phone limits but within range of older devices or phones used very close to the head. What makes this particularly concerning is that neuroinflammation occurs in many conditions including infections, injuries, and neurodegenerative diseases. The science demonstrates that RF radiation can interfere with your brain's natural inflammatory response mechanisms, potentially affecting how well your brain can protect and repair itself during times of stress. While the effects were temporary in this study, the reality is that most of us are exposed to cell phone radiation multiple times daily, creating repeated opportunities for such interference.

Exposure Details

SAR
2.9 W/kg
Source/Device
GSM-1800 MHz
Exposure Duration
2 hours

Exposure Context

This study used 2.9 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: 2.9 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern rangeFCC limit is 1x 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

we investigated whether a 2-h head-only exposure to GSM-1800 MHz could impact on a neuroinflammatory reaction triggered by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in 2-week-old or adult rats.

We focused on the cerebral cortex in which the specific absorption rate (SAR) of RF averaged 2.9 W/k...

In developing rats, 24 h after GSM exposure, the levels of cortical interleukin-1ß (IL1ß) or NOX2 NA...

Together, our data provide evidence that GSM-1800 MHz can modulate CNS cell responses triggered by an acute neuroinflammatory state.

Cite This Study
Lameth J, Gervais A, Colin C, Lévêque P, Jay TM, Edeline JM, Mallat M. (2017). Acute Neuroinflammation Promotes Cell Responses to 1800 MHz GSM Electromagnetic Fields in the Rat Cerebral Cortex. Neurotox Res. 2017 Jun 3. doi: 10.1007/s12640-017-9756-3.
Show BibTeX
@article{j_2017_acute_neuroinflammation_promotes_cell_1138,
  author = {Lameth J and Gervais A and Colin C and Lévêque P and Jay TM and Edeline JM and Mallat M.},
  title = {Acute Neuroinflammation Promotes Cell Responses to 1800 MHz GSM Electromagnetic Fields in the Rat Cerebral Cortex.},
  year = {2017},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28578480/},
}
PubMed: 28578480

Cited By (14 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2017 study found that 2-hour exposure to 1800 MHz GSM radiation reduced inflammatory markers by 50-60% in rats with pre-existing brain inflammation. However, these anti-inflammatory effects were temporary, disappearing within 72 hours after exposure ended.
Research shows 1800 MHz GSM exposure decreased phosphorylation of AMPA receptor subunits in rat brain cortex. Specifically, phosphorylation at two key sites (serine 831 and 845) on the GluA1 receptor was reduced, potentially affecting neurotransmission.
The brain changes from 1800 MHz GSM exposure in rats were temporary, lasting less than 72 hours. All observed effects on inflammation markers, microglial cells, and receptor phosphorylation returned to normal within three days.
Yes, adult rats showed a 50% growth response in microglial cell processes after 1800 MHz GSM exposure, while developing rats did not show this microglial activation. Both age groups experienced reduced inflammation markers but through different cellular mechanisms.
No, the study found that 1800 MHz GSM radiation only produced brain changes when animals had pre-existing inflammation from LPS treatment. No effects on gene expression, microglia, or receptors occurred in healthy brain tissue.