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Long term exposure to cell phone frequencies (900 and 1800 MHz) induces apoptosis, mitochondrial oxidative stress and TRPV1 channel activation in the hippocampus and dorsal root ganglion of rats.

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Ertilav K, Uslusoy F, Ataizi S, Nazıroğlu M. · 2018

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Year-long cell phone frequency exposure caused measurable brain damage in rats, with higher frequencies producing more severe cellular death and oxidative stress.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed rats to cell phone frequencies (900 and 1800 MHz) for one hour daily, five days a week for an entire year, then examined brain tissue for damage. They found significant cellular damage including cell death, oxidative stress, and disrupted calcium channels in the hippocampus (memory center) and nerve tissues. The higher frequency (1800 MHz) caused more severe damage than the lower frequency, suggesting a dose-response relationship.

Why This Matters

This year-long study provides compelling evidence that chronic exposure to cell phone frequencies can cause measurable brain damage in living tissue. The researchers used exposure levels and frequencies that mirror real-world cell phone use, making their findings directly relevant to human health concerns. What makes this study particularly significant is the dose-response relationship they documented - higher frequencies caused more severe damage, which strengthens the case for biological causation rather than coincidence. The cellular mechanisms they identified (calcium channel disruption, oxidative stress, and programmed cell death) help explain how EMF exposure could contribute to neurological problems over time. While we can't directly extrapolate animal studies to humans, the biological pathways involved are fundamentally similar across species, making this research an important piece of the growing evidence base linking EMF exposure to brain health risks.

Exposure Information

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

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 900 and 1800 MHz Duration: 60 min/ 5 days of the week during the one year

Study Details

We investigated the contribution TRPV1 to mitochondrial oxidative stress and apoptosis in HIPPON and DRGN following long term exposure to 900 and 1800 MHz in a rat model

Twenty-four adult rats were equally divided into the following groups: (1) control, (2) 900 MHz, and...

The 900 and 1800 MHz EMR exposure induced increases in TRPV1 currents, intracellular free calcium in...

In conclusion, mitochondrial oxidative stress, programmed cell death and Ca2+ entry pathway through TRPV1 activation in the HIPPON and DRGN of rats were increased in the rat model following exposure to 900 and 1800 MHz cell frequencies. Our results suggest that exposure to 900 and 1800 MHz EMR may induce a dose-associated, TRPV1-mediated stress response.

Cite This Study
Ertilav K, Uslusoy F, Ataizi S, Nazıroğlu M. (2018). Long term exposure to cell phone frequencies (900 and 1800 MHz) induces apoptosis, mitochondrial oxidative stress and TRPV1 channel activation in the hippocampus and dorsal root ganglion of rats. Metab Brain Dis. 33(3):753-763, 2018. Jan 13.
Show BibTeX
@article{k_2018_long_term_exposure_to_1632,
  author = {Ertilav K and Uslusoy F and Ataizi S and Nazıroğlu M.},
  title = {Long term exposure to cell phone frequencies (900 and 1800 MHz) induces apoptosis, mitochondrial oxidative stress and TRPV1 channel activation in the hippocampus and dorsal root ganglion of rats.},
  year = {2018},
  doi = {10.1007/s11011-017-0180-4},
  url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11011-017-0180-4},
}
DOI: 10.1007/s11011-017-0180-4

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2018 study found that exposing rats to 900 and 1800 MHz cell phone frequencies for one hour daily over an entire year caused significant damage to hippocampus cells, including cell death, oxidative stress, and disrupted calcium channels in the brain's memory center.
Research shows 1800 MHz causes more severe brain damage than 900 MHz. In a year-long rat study, the higher 1800 MHz frequency produced greater cell death, oxidative stress, and calcium channel disruption in brain tissue, demonstrating a dose-response relationship.
Yes, exposure to 900 and 1800 MHz cell phone radiation activates TRPV1 channels in dorsal root ganglion nerve tissues. This activation leads to increased calcium influx and cellular stress responses, with 1800 MHz causing more pronounced effects than 900 MHz.
Research demonstrates that chronic exposure to cell phone frequencies (900 and 1800 MHz) causes significant mitochondrial damage in brain tissue, including membrane depolarization, increased reactive oxygen species production, and oxidative stress in the hippocampus and nerve tissues.
Daily exposure to cell phone radiation (900 and 1800 MHz) for one year significantly increases brain cell death through apoptosis. The study found elevated caspase 3 and 9 activities, indicating programmed cell death pathways were activated in hippocampus and nerve tissues.