Maternal mobile phone exposure alters intrinsic electrophysiological properties of CA1 pyramidal neurons in rat offspring
Razavinasab M, Moazzami K, Shabani M · 2014
View Original AbstractPrenatal mobile phone radiation exposure altered brain cell function and impaired learning in rat offspring at SAR levels within typical phone use ranges.
Plain English Summary
Pregnant rats exposed to 900 MHz cell phone radiation for six hours daily produced offspring with altered brain cell activity and impaired memory performance. The rat pups showed decreased neuron firing and worse learning test results, suggesting prenatal phone radiation exposure may affect developing brain function.
Why This Matters
This study adds to growing concerns about EMF exposure during pregnancy, a critical window when developing brains are most vulnerable. The 900 MHz frequency matches older 2G networks, and the SAR levels of 0.3 and 0.9 W/kg fall within ranges that mobile phones can produce during typical use. What makes this research particularly significant is that it demonstrates measurable changes at the cellular level in brain function, not just behavioral effects. The researchers found decreased neuronal excitability in the hippocampus, the brain region essential for learning and memory formation. This provides a biological mechanism for the learning deficits they observed. The science demonstrates that EMF exposure during pregnancy can alter fundamental brain cell properties in offspring, with lasting effects on cognitive performance. While this is animal research, the findings align with other studies showing developmental effects from prenatal EMF exposure, suggesting pregnant women should consider minimizing unnecessary wireless device use near the abdomen.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 0.3 and 0.9 W/kg
- Source/Device
- 900 MHz
- Exposure Duration
- 6 h/day during gestation
Where This Falls on the Concern Scale
Study Details
In this study, we have elucidated the alteration in the hippocampal function of offspring Wistar rats (n = 8 rats in each group) that were chronically exposed to mobile phones during their gestational period by applying behavioral, histological, and electrophysiological tests.
Rats in the EMF group were exposed to 900 MHz pulsed-EMF irradiation for 6 h/day. Whole cell recordi...
Mobile phone exposure was mostly associated with a decrease in the number of action potentials fired...
Our results suggest that exposure to mobile phones adversely affects the cognitive performance of both female and male offspring rats using behavioral and electrophysiological techniques.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2014_maternal_mobile_phone_exposure_173,
author = {Razavinasab M and Moazzami K and Shabani M},
title = {Maternal mobile phone exposure alters intrinsic electrophysiological properties of CA1 pyramidal neurons in rat offspring},
year = {2014},
doi = {10.1177/0748233714525497},
url = {https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0748233714525497},
}