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Effect of Low-Intensity Microwave Radiation on Monoamine Neurotransmitters and Their Key Regulating Enzymes in Rat Brain.

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Megha K, Deshmukh PS, Ravi AK, Tripathi AK, Abegaonkar MP, Banerjee BD. · 2015

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Cell phone radiation significantly reduced critical brain neurotransmitters in rats at exposure levels similar to everyday wireless device use.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation for 30 days and found significant decreases in brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin that control mood and memory. This suggests wireless device radiation could potentially disrupt how brain cells communicate with each other.

Why This Matters

This study provides compelling evidence that microwave radiation at levels similar to those emitted by cell phones can disrupt fundamental brain chemistry. The researchers found decreased levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the hippocampus, the brain region critical for learning and memory formation. What makes this particularly significant is that these effects occurred at very low power levels, with SAR values around 0.0006 W/kg, which is well below current safety limits but representative of real-world exposure from wireless devices held near the head. The fact that the study identified changes at both the molecular level (gene expression) and the functional level (neurotransmitter concentrations) strengthens the biological plausibility of these effects. This research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that our current safety standards may not adequately protect against neurological impacts from chronic low-level EMF exposure.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.0005953, 0.0005835 W/kg
Source/Device
900 MHz and 1800 MHz
Exposure Duration
30 days (2 h/day, 5 days/week)

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.0005953, 0.0005835 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the No Concern rangeFCC limit is 2,742x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz - 1.80 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHz - 1.80 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The aim of the study was to demonstrate the effect of low-intensity microwave radiation on levels of monoamine neurotransmitters and gene expression of their key regulating enzymes in brain of Fischer rats.

Animals were exposed to 900 MHz and 1800 MHz microwave radiation for 30 days (2 h/day, 5 days/week) ...

Results showed significant reduction in levels of DA, NE, E and 5-HT in hippocampus of microwave-exp...

In conclusion, the results indicate that low-intensity microwave radiation may cause learning and memory disturbances by altering levels of brain monoamine neurotransmitters at mRNA and protein levels.

Cite This Study
Megha K, Deshmukh PS, Ravi AK, Tripathi AK, Abegaonkar MP, Banerjee BD. (2015). Effect of Low-Intensity Microwave Radiation on Monoamine Neurotransmitters and Their Key Regulating Enzymes in Rat Brain. Cell Biochem Biophys 2015; 73 (1): 93-100.
Show BibTeX
@article{k_2015_effect_of_lowintensity_microwave_1200,
  author = {Megha K and Deshmukh PS and Ravi AK and Tripathi AK and Abegaonkar MP and Banerjee BD.},
  title = {Effect of Low-Intensity Microwave Radiation on Monoamine Neurotransmitters and Their Key Regulating Enzymes in Rat Brain.},
  year = {2015},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25672490/},
}
PubMed: 25672490

Cited By (41 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2015 study found that 30 days of 900 MHz and 1800 MHz radiation exposure significantly reduced dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and epinephrine levels in rat hippocampus. These neurotransmitters are crucial for mood regulation and memory formation.
Research shows cell phone frequencies (900 MHz and 1800 MHz) can significantly decrease serotonin levels in the hippocampus after 30 days of exposure. The study also found reduced levels of dopamine and other key brain chemicals in this memory-critical region.
Microwave radiation exposure significantly downregulated mRNA expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH1 and TPH2) enzymes. These enzymes are essential for producing dopamine and serotonin, explaining the observed neurotransmitter reductions in exposed animals.
A 2015 study suggests low-intensity microwave radiation may cause learning and memory disturbances by altering brain monoamine neurotransmitter levels. Researchers found significant decreases in dopamine and serotonin after 30 days of exposure to cell phone frequencies.
After 30 days of 1800 MHz radiation exposure, researchers observed significant decreases in dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and serotonin in rat hippocampus. These reductions occurred at both the neurotransmitter and genetic expression levels, potentially affecting brain communication.