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Expression of the immediate early gene, c-fos, in mouse brain after acute global system for mobile communication microwave exposure.

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Finnie JW. · 2005

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C-fos activation in exposed and sham-exposed mouse brains was comparable, and both were greatly increased compared with freely moving controls.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed mice to 900 MHz radiofrequency fields using a purpose-designed exposure system, giving each animal a single, far-field, whole body exposure at a specific absorption rate of 4 W/kg. The study measured activation of the immediate early gene c-fos in mouse brain tissue after this acute exposure. Activation of c-fos in exposed and sham-exposed brains was comparable, but was greatly increased compared with freely moving controls. The results suggest that the majority of the acute genomic response detected by c-fos expression was due to immobilisation.

Why This Matters

C-fos protein expression was detected immunohistochemically in perfusion-fixed brains. Because c-fos levels were similar in exposed and sham-exposed animals, both being greatly increased compared with freely moving controls, the study suggests immobilisation drove most of the observed gene response.

Exposure Details

SAR
4 W/kg
Source/Device
900 MHz
Exposure Duration
60 minutes

Exposure Context

This study used 4 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: 4 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)This level is 3 times the FCC limit
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

To study the effect of acute exposure to global system for mobile communication radiofrequency fields on immediate early gene, c-fos, expression in the brain.

Using a purpose-designed exposure system at 900 MHz, mice were given a single, far-field, whole body...

Activation of c-fos in exposed and sham-exposed brains was comparable, but was greatly increased com...

These results suggest that the majority of the acute genomic response detected by c-fos expression was due to immobilisation rather than irradiation.

Cite This Study
Finnie JW. (2005). Expression of the immediate early gene, c-fos, in mouse brain after acute global system for mobile communication microwave exposure. Pathology. 37(3):231-233, 2005.
Show BibTeX
@article{jw._2005_expression_of_the_immediate_975,
  author = {Finnie JW.},
  title = {Expression of the immediate early gene, c-fos, in mouse brain after acute global system for mobile communication microwave exposure.},
  year = {2005},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16175897/},
}
PubMed: 16175897

Cited By (31 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Mice received a single whole-body exposure at 900 MHz for 60 minutes at a specific absorption rate of 4 W/kg.
C-fos activation in exposed and sham-exposed brains was comparable, suggesting the exposure itself did not drive the increase.
The results suggest that the majority of the acute genomic response detected by c-fos expression was due to immobilisation.
C-fos protein expression was detected immunohistochemically in perfusion-fixed brains.
Control mice were either sham-exposed or freely mobile in a cage without further restraint.