[Effect of 1.8 GHz radiofrequencyelectromagnetic fields on gene expression of rat neurons].
Zhang SZ, Yao GD, Lu DQ, Chiang H, Xu ZP. · 2008
View Original AbstractCell phone-level radiation altered 34 genes in brain cells, with intermittent exposure causing more changes than continuous exposure.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed rat brain cells to cell phone radiation (1.8 GHz) for up to 24 hours. The radiation altered 34 genes controlling brain cell structure, communication, and metabolism. Changes were stronger with intermittent exposure patterns, suggesting cell phone signals may affect brain function.
Why This Matters
This study provides compelling evidence that radiofrequency radiation at levels commonly encountered from wireless devices can directly alter gene expression in brain cells. The 2 W/kg exposure level used here is within the range of typical cell phone emissions during calls, making these findings particularly relevant to everyday wireless device use. What makes this research especially significant is that the researchers found intermittent exposure patterns caused more genetic changes than continuous exposure, which mirrors how we actually use our phones throughout the day. The fact that 34 different genes were affected across multiple cellular functions suggests RF exposure doesn't just target one biological pathway but can have widespread effects on neuronal activity. While this was conducted on isolated rat neurons rather than living brains, the findings add to a growing body of evidence that wireless radiation can influence brain cell function at the genetic level.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 2 W/kg
- Source/Device
- 1.8 GHz
- Exposure Duration
- 24 hours
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 neuron induced by 1.8 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) to screen for RF EMF-responsive genes and the effect of different exposure times and modes on the gene expression in neuron.
Total RNA was extracted immediately and purified from the primary culture of neurons after intermitt...
Among 1200 candidate genes, 24 up-regulated and 10 down-regulated genes were found by using Affymetr...
The changes of many genes transcription were involved in the effect of 1.8 GHz RF EMF on rat neurons; Down-regulation of Egr-1 and up-regulation of Mbp, Plp indicated the negative effects of RF EMF on neurons; The effect of RF intermittent exposure on gene expression was more obvious than that of continuous exposure; The effect of 24 h RF exposure (both intermittent and continuous) on gene expression was more obvious than that of 6 h (both intermittent and continuous).
Show BibTeX
@article{sz_2008_effect_of_18_ghz_1463,
author = {Zhang SZ and Yao GD and Lu DQ and Chiang H and Xu ZP.},
title = {[Effect of 1.8 GHz radiofrequencyelectromagnetic fields on gene expression of rat neurons].},
year = {2008},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19358751/},
}