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Brain & Nervous System

Fetal Radiofrequency Radiation Exposure From 800-1900 Mhz-Rated Cellular Telephones Affects Neurodevelopment and Behavior in Mice

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Aldad TS, Gan G, Gao XB, Taylor HS · 2012

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Mice exposed to cellular telephone radiation in the womb were hyperactive and had impaired memory as adults.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers used a mouse model to examine whether in-utero radiofrequency exposure from cellular telephones affects adult behavior. Mice exposed in the womb were hyperactive and had impaired memory, as measured using the object recognition, light/dark box, and step-down assays. The exposed mice also had dose-responsive impaired glutamatergic synaptic transmission onto layer V pyramidal neurons of the prefrontal cortex.

Why This Matters

The researchers described this as the first experimental evidence of neuropathology due to in-utero cellular telephone radiation. The behavioral changes observed were linked to altered neuronal developmental programming, as revealed by whole cell patch clamp recordings of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents. The study noted that an association between prenatal cellular telephone use and hyperactivity in children had been postulated before this work. The authors stated that further experiments are needed in humans or non-human primates to determine the risk of exposure during pregnancy.

Exposure Details

SAR
1.6 W/kg
Source/Device
800-1900 Mhz-Rated Cellular Telephones
Exposure Duration
In Utero/continuous for 0, 9, 15 or 24 hours/day on day 1-17 of gestation

Exposure Context

This study used 1.6 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: 1.6 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 1.90 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 1.90 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

To determine if prenatal radiofrequency exposure from 800-1900 Mhz-Rated Cellular Telephones affects Neurodevelopment and Behavior in Mice

An association between prenatal cellular telephone use and hyperactivity in children has been postul...

Mice exposed in-utero were hyperactive and had impaired memory as determined using the object recogn...

We present the first experimental evidence of neuropathology due to in-utero cellular telephone radiation. Further experiments are needed in humans or non-human primates to determine the risk of exposure during pregnancy

Cite This Study
Aldad TS, Gan G, Gao XB, Taylor HS (2012). Fetal Radiofrequency Radiation Exposure From 800-1900 Mhz-Rated Cellular Telephones Affects Neurodevelopment and Behavior in Mice Sci Rep 2, 312 (2012).
Show BibTeX
@article{ts_2012_fetal_radiofrequency_radiation_exposure_60,
  author = {Aldad TS and Gan G and Gao XB and Taylor HS},
  title = {Fetal Radiofrequency Radiation Exposure From 800-1900 Mhz-Rated Cellular Telephones Affects Neurodevelopment and Behavior in Mice},
  year = {2012},
  
  url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/srep00312},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Mice exposed in the womb were hyperactive and had impaired memory, measured using the object recognition, light/dark box, and step-down assays.
The study examined in-utero radiofrequency exposure from cellular telephones.
Exposed mice had dose-responsive impaired glutamatergic synaptic transmission onto layer V pyramidal neurons of the prefrontal cortex.
The researchers said further experiments are needed in humans or non-human primates to determine the risk of exposure during pregnancy.
An association between prenatal cellular telephone use and hyperactivity in children had been postulated, but the direct effects of radiofrequency radiation on neurodevelopment remained unknown.