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Effect of 1.8 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on novel object associative recognition memory in mice.

Bioeffects Seen

Wang K, Lu JM, Xing ZH, Zhao QR, Hu LQ, Xue L, Zhang J, Mei YA · 2017

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Single 30-minute RF exposure altered mouse brain structure and memory function at levels approaching heavy cell phone use.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Scientists exposed mice to cell phone radiation (1.8 GHz) and found it improved memory performance at high exposure levels. The radiation physically changed brain cells and their electrical activity in memory regions, demonstrating that radiofrequency energy can directly alter how the brain functions.

Why This Matters

This study reveals something crucial that the wireless industry would prefer you not know: radiofrequency radiation demonstrably alters brain function, even from a single 30-minute exposure. While the researchers found improved memory rather than impairment, the key finding is that RF radiation physically changed brain cell structure and electrical activity in memory-related regions. The exposure levels (up to 3.3 W/kg SAR) exceeded typical phone use, but the biological changes occurred at levels as low as 2.2 W/kg, which approaches what heavy phone users experience during long calls. The reality is that any biological effect, whether seemingly positive or negative, indicates your brain is responding to this artificial radiation in ways we're only beginning to understand.

Exposure Details

SAR
1.98–3.30 W/kg
Source/Device
1.8 GHz
Exposure Duration
30 min

Exposure Context

This study used 1.98–3.30 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 ContextA logarithmic scale showing exposure levels relative to Building Biology concern thresholds and regulatory limits.Study Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 1.98–3.30 W/kgExtreme Concern0.1 W/kgFCC Limit1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 1x higher than this exposure level

Study Details

In this study, we examined the effects of single exposure to 1.8 GHz RF-EMR for 30 min on subsequent recognition memory in mice, using the novel object recognition task (NORT).

RF-EMR exposure at an intensity of >2.2 W/kg specific absorption rate (SAR) power density induced a ...

These results demonstrate that exposure to 1.8 GHz RF-EMR for 30 min can significantly increase recognition memory in mice, and can change dendritic-spine morphology and neuronal excitability in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. The SAR in this study (3.3 W/kg) was outside the range encountered in normal daily life, and its relevance as a potential therapeutic approach for disorders associated with recognition memory deficits remains to be clarified.

Cite This Study
Wang K, Lu JM, Xing ZH, Zhao QR, Hu LQ, Xue L, Zhang J, Mei YA (2017). Effect of 1.8 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on novel object associative recognition memory in mice. Sci Rep. 2017 Mar 17;7:44521. doi: 10.1038/srep44521.
Show BibTeX
@article{k_2017_effect_of_18_ghz_200,
  author = {Wang K and Lu JM and Xing ZH and Zhao QR and Hu LQ and Xue L and Zhang J and Mei YA},
  title = {Effect of 1.8 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on novel object associative recognition memory in mice.},
  year = {2017},
  
  url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/srep44521},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Scientists exposed mice to cell phone radiation (1.8 GHz) and found it improved memory performance at high exposure levels. The radiation physically changed brain cells and their electrical activity in memory regions, demonstrating that radiofrequency energy can directly alter how the brain functions.