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Brain & Nervous System

No apoptosis is induced in rat cortical neurons exposed to GSM phone fields.

No Effects Found

Joubert V, Leveque P, Cueille M, Bourthoumieu S, Yardin C. · 2007

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Cell phone radiation at typical use levels didn't kill rat brain neurons in lab conditions, but this doesn't rule out other potential effects.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

French researchers exposed rat brain neurons to cell phone radiation (900 MHz GSM) for 24 hours at levels similar to phone use, then tested whether the radiation caused brain cells to die through a process called apoptosis. Using three different measurement methods, they found no increase in cell death compared to unexposed neurons. This suggests that brief cell phone radiation exposure may not directly damage brain cells in the way some scientists have theorized.

Why This Matters

This study addresses one of the most fundamental questions in EMF research: does cell phone radiation kill brain cells? The researchers used a SAR level of 0.25 W/kg, which falls within the range of typical cell phone exposure during calls. While finding no apoptosis is reassuring, we need to consider the limitations. This was a single 24-hour exposure in isolated neurons, not the chronic, intermittent exposures we experience daily with our devices. The reality is that apoptosis represents just one pathway of potential cellular damage. Other mechanisms like oxidative stress, membrane permeability changes, or DNA damage could still occur without triggering cell death. What this means for you is that while this particular study doesn't raise red flags about immediate brain cell death from phone radiation, it doesn't rule out other biological effects that might accumulate over years of use.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.25 W/kg
Source/Device
900‐MHz
Exposure Duration
24 h

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.25 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 6 times higher than this level

Study Details

The aim of this study was to investigate the radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) effects on neuronal apoptosis in vitro.

Primary cultured neurons from cortices of embryonic Wistar rats were exposed to a 900‐MHz global sys...

No statistically significant difference in the apoptosis rate was observed between controls and 24 h...

Cite This Study
Joubert V, Leveque P, Cueille M, Bourthoumieu S, Yardin C. (2007). No apoptosis is induced in rat cortical neurons exposed to GSM phone fields. Bioelectromagnetics. 28(2):115-121, 2007.
Show BibTeX
@article{v_2007_no_apoptosis_is_induced_2766,
  author = {Joubert V and Leveque P and Cueille M and Bourthoumieu S and Yardin C. },
  title = {No apoptosis is induced in rat cortical neurons exposed to GSM phone fields.},
  year = {2007},
  doi = {10.1002/bem.20274},
  url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bem.20274},
}
DOI: 10.1002/bem.20274

Cited By (83 papers)

View all 83 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

No, a 2007 French study found that 24-hour exposure to 900 MHz GSM radiation at cell phone-like levels did not increase brain cell death (apoptosis) in rat cortical neurons. Three different measurement methods confirmed no significant difference between exposed and unexposed neurons.
Research shows GSM phone signals do not cause apoptosis in cortical neurons. French scientists exposed rat brain neurons to 900 MHz GSM radiation for 24 hours and found no increase in programmed cell death compared to control neurons using three concordant testing methods.
Rat cortical neurons can survive at least 24 hours of continuous 900 MHz GSM radiation exposure without increased cell death. A 2007 study found no significant difference in survival rates between exposed and unexposed neurons, even when tested immediately and 24 hours post-exposure.
Primary rat neuronal cultures exposed to 900 MHz GSM frequencies for 24 hours show no increased cell death. This 2007 research was the first to test apoptosis in cultured cortical neurons specifically, finding results consistent with previous cell line studies.
Yes, three different apoptosis measurement methods produced concordant results showing no increased cell death from GSM radiation exposure. French researchers used multiple testing approaches to ensure accuracy when evaluating 900 MHz radiation effects on rat cortical neurons over 24 hours.