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Effects of whole body microwave exposure on the rat brain contents of biogenic amines.

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Inaba R, Shishido K, Okada A, Moroji T. · 1992

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Microwave radiation at WiFi-like frequencies altered brain neurotransmitter chemistry in rats, suggesting wireless devices may affect mood and cognitive function.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed rats to microwave radiation at 2450 MHz (the same frequency used in microwave ovens and WiFi) for one hour and measured changes in brain chemistry. They found that exposure altered the levels and processing of key brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, including noradrenaline and dopamine metabolites, which are crucial for mood, attention, and brain function. These neurochemical changes occurred even at the lower power level tested.

Why This Matters

This study reveals that microwave radiation can disrupt the delicate balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, the chemical messengers that control everything from mood to cognitive function. The 2450 MHz frequency used here is identical to what powers your microwave oven and is close to frequencies used by WiFi, Bluetooth, and other wireless devices. What makes this research particularly significant is that neurochemical changes occurred at both exposure levels tested, suggesting the brain's chemistry is sensitive to RF radiation. The alterations in dopamine metabolism and noradrenaline levels point to potential impacts on attention, mood regulation, and stress response. While this is animal research, it adds to a growing body of evidence that RF exposure can affect brain function through mechanisms beyond simple tissue heating.

Exposure Details

Power Density
5, 10 µW/m²
Source/Device
2450 MHz

Exposure Context

This study used 5, 10 µW/m² for radio frequency:

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 ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 5, 10 µW/m²Extreme Concern - 1,000 uW/m2FCC Limit - 10M uW/m2Effects observed in the Slight Concern rangeFCC limit is 2,000,000x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 2.45 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 2.45 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The effects of whole body microwave exposure on the central nervous system (CNS) of the rat were investigated.

Rats weighing from 250 to 320 g were exposed for 1 h to whole body microwave with a frequency of 245...

Microwave exposure at power densities of 5 and 10 mW.cm-2 increased the mean rectal temperature by 2...

Cite This Study
Inaba R, Shishido K, Okada A, Moroji T. (1992). Effects of whole body microwave exposure on the rat brain contents of biogenic amines. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 65(2):124-128, 1992.
Show BibTeX
@article{r_1992_effects_of_whole_body_1041,
  author = {Inaba R and Shishido K and Okada A and Moroji T.},
  title = {Effects of whole body microwave exposure on the rat brain contents of biogenic amines.},
  year = {1992},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1396634/},
}
PubMed: 1396634

Cited By (26 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 1992 study found that 2450 MHz microwave radiation (the same frequency used in microwave ovens) significantly altered brain neurotransmitter levels in rats. The exposure reduced noradrenaline in the hypothalamus and increased dopamine metabolism, suggesting this frequency can disrupt brain chemistry even at lower power levels.
Yes, researchers found that one hour of 2450 MHz microwave exposure increased rats' core body temperature by 2.3-3.4 degrees Celsius depending on power level. This temperature increase occurred alongside significant changes in brain neurotransmitter processing, particularly affecting noradrenaline and dopamine systems in specific brain regions.
At 10 mW/cm², microwave radiation specifically affected the hypothalamus (reducing noradrenaline), pons and medulla oblongata (increasing dopamine metabolites), and striatum and cerebral cortex (increasing dopamine turnover rates). The study found these neurochemical changes occurred in distinct brain regions rather than uniformly throughout the brain.
No, the 1992 study found that 2450 MHz radiation (WiFi frequency) did not change serotonin levels in any brain region tested. However, it did increase serotonin metabolite levels in the cerebral cortex, suggesting the frequency may affect how serotonin is processed without changing overall serotonin content.
Both 5 and 10 mW/cm² power densities of 2450 MHz radiation caused measurable brain chemistry changes in this study. The lower 5 mW/cm² level increased serotonin metabolites in the cerebral cortex, while 10 mW/cm² produced more extensive effects across multiple neurotransmitter systems and brain regions.