Exposure to GSM 900 MHz electromagnetic fields affects cerebral cytochrome c oxidase activity
Ammari M, Lecomte A, Sakly M, Abdelmelek H, de-Seze R · 2008
View Original AbstractCell phone radiation at 6 W/kg disrupted energy production in memory and cognitive brain regions of rats.
Plain English Summary
French researchers exposed rats to cell phone radiation for seven days and found that high-intensity exposure significantly reduced brain energy production in areas controlling memory and motor function, while lower intensity showed no effects, suggesting certain radiation levels may disrupt normal brain cell function.
Why This Matters
This study provides direct evidence that GSM cell phone radiation can alter brain metabolism at the cellular level. The 6 W/kg exposure level that caused these effects is higher than current regulatory limits for cell phones (2 W/kg), but it's within the range that can occur during intensive phone use or with certain devices. What makes this research particularly significant is that it measured cytochrome c oxidase, a key enzyme in cellular energy production. When this enzyme's activity decreases, brain cells literally have less energy to function properly. The affected brain regions - including the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and motor areas - are critical for memory, decision-making, and movement control. The reality is that this study adds to a growing body of evidence showing that RF radiation can affect brain function even at levels regulators claim are safe.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 1.5 and 6 W/kg
- Source/Device
- GSM 900 MHz
- Exposure Duration
- continuous seven days (45 min/day,SAR= 1.5 W/kg & 15 min/day,SAR = 6 W/kg)
Exposure Context
This study used 1.5 and 6 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):
- 3.8x above the Building Biology guideline of 0.4 W/kg
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 Details
To investigate exposure to GSM 900 MHz electromagnetic fields affects cerebral cytochrome c oxidase activity
The goal of this study was conducted to measure cytochrome oxidase (CO) levels using histochemical m...
Compared to the sham and control cage groups, rats exposed to a GSM signal at 6 W/Kg showed decrease...
Our results indicate that 6 W/Kg GSM 900 MHz microwaves may affect brain metabolism and neuronal activity in rats
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2008_exposure_to_gsm_900_62,
author = {Ammari M and Lecomte A and Sakly M and Abdelmelek H and de-Seze R},
title = {Exposure to GSM 900 MHz electromagnetic fields affects cerebral cytochrome c oxidase activity},
year = {2008},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0300483X0800262X},
}