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Brain & Nervous System

Effect of 1.8 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on gene expression of rat neurons

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Zhang SZ, Yao GD, Lu DQ, Chiang H, Xu ZP. · 2008

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Exposure of rat neurons to 1.8 GHz RF EMF for 24 hours altered expression of multiple genes, with effects varying by exposure duration and mode.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed primary cultured rat neurons to 1.8 GHz RF EMF at a SAR of 2 W/kg and used a gene array to look for changes in gene expression. Among 1200 candidate genes screened, 24 were up-regulated and 10 were down-regulated, associated with functions including cytoskeleton, signal transduction, and metabolism. The effect of 24-hour exposure on gene expression was more obvious than that of 6-hour exposure, and intermittent exposure had a more obvious effect than continuous exposure.

Why This Matters

The expression levels of Egr-1, Mbp, and Plp were examined across different exposure durations and modes. Under 24-hour and 6-hour intermittent exposure, Egr-1 and Plp showed statistically significant changes compared with control groups, while Mbp did not change significantly. After 24-hour continuous exposure, Egr-1 and Mbp showed statistically significant changes, while Plp did not change significantly. Under 6-hour exposure of either mode, expression of all the 3 genes did not change significantly. The researchers stated that down-regulation of Egr-1 and up-regulation of Mbp, Plp indicated the negative effects of RF EMF on neurons.

Exposure Details

SAR
2 W/kg
Source/Device
1.8 GHz
Exposure Duration
24h,6h

Exposure Context

This study used 2 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):

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: 2 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)This level is 1 times the FCC limit
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 1.80 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 1.80 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic 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).

Cite This Study
Zhang SZ, Yao GD, Lu DQ, Chiang H, Xu ZP. (2008). Effect of 1.8 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on gene expression of rat neurons Zhonghua Lao Dong Wei Sheng Zhi Ye Bing Za Zhi. 26(8):449-452, 2008.
Show BibTeX
@article{sz_2008_effect_of_18_ghz_23,
  author = {Zhang SZ and Yao GD and Lu DQ and Chiang H and Xu ZP.},
  title = {Effect of 1.8 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on gene expression of rat neurons},
  year = {2008},
  
  url = {http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19358751},
}
PubMed: 19358751

Cited By (8 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

The study used primary cultured rat neurons exposed to RF EMF.
Among 1200 candidate genes screened, 24 were found to be up-regulated and 10 were down-regulated.
The effect of 24-hour RF exposure was more obvious than that of 6-hour exposure for both intermittent and continuous modes.
Intermittent and continuous exposure produced different patterns of gene change, and intermittent exposure was described as having a more obvious effect than continuous exposure.
The researchers concluded that changes in many genes' transcription were involved in the effect of 1.8 GHz RF EMF on rat neurons.