.[Effect of 1.8 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on the expression of microtubule associated protein 2 in rat neurons]
Zhao R, Zhang SZ, Yao GD, Lu DQ, Jiang H, Xu ZP · 2006
View Original AbstractCell phone-level radiation altered 34 genes in developing brain cells, suggesting wireless devices may trigger cellular stress responses.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed newborn rat brain cells to 1.8 GHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone frequencies) at 2 watts per kilogram for 24 hours and found that 34 out of 1,200 genes changed their expression levels. Most notably, a gene called MAP2, which helps maintain the structural framework of brain cells, became significantly more active after radiation exposure.
Why This Matters
This study provides compelling evidence that radiofrequency radiation at levels commonly encountered from wireless devices can alter fundamental cellular processes in developing brain tissue. The 2 W/kg exposure level used here is the current safety limit for cell phones in many countries, yet it triggered measurable changes in gene expression in 34 different genes. What makes this particularly concerning is that MAP2 protein is essential for maintaining the structural integrity of neurons - the finding that RF exposure increases its expression suggests the brain cells may be responding to radiation as a form of cellular stress. The science demonstrates that even brief exposures can trigger biological responses at the genetic level, contradicting industry claims that non-thermal RF exposure is biologically inert. While we don't yet know the long-term implications of these genetic changes, this research adds to the growing body of evidence that our current safety standards may not adequately protect developing nervous systems.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 2 W/kg
- Source/Device
- 1.8 GHz modulated by 217 Hz
- Exposure Duration
- 24 hours (5 minutes on/10 minutes off
Exposure Context
This study used 2 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):
- 5x 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 the changes of gene expression in rat neurons induced by 1.8 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) and to screen for the RF EMF-responsive genes.
Newly-born SD rats in 24 hours were sacrificed to obtain cortex and hippocampus neurons. The cells w...
Among 1200 candidate genes, the expression levels of 34 genes were up or down regulated. Microtubule...
The modulation of gene expression and function of Map2 as a neuron specific cytoskeleton protein is crucial to maintain the normal framework and function of neurons. The finding that 1.8 GHz RF EMF exposure increases the expression of Map2 might indicate some unknown effects of RF EMF on neurons.
Show BibTeX
@article{r_2006_effect_of_18_ghz_1464,
author = {Zhao R and Zhang SZ and Yao GD and Lu DQ and Jiang H and Xu ZP},
title = {.[Effect of 1.8 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on the expression of microtubule associated protein 2 in rat neurons]},
year = {2006},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16701035/},
}