Electromagnetic radiation (Wi-Fi) and epilepsy induce calcium entry and apoptosis through activation of TRPV1 channel in hippocampus and dorsal root ganglion of rats
Ghazizadeh V, Nazıroğlu M · 2014
View Original AbstractWi-Fi radiation triggered brain cell death in epileptic rats at extremely low exposure levels, suggesting neurological vulnerability to everyday wireless signals.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed brain and nerve cells from epileptic rats to Wi-Fi radiation (2.45 GHz) for one hour and found it triggered additional calcium influx and cell death beyond what epilepsy alone caused. The Wi-Fi exposure activated specific calcium channels (TRPV1) that allowed harmful calcium to flood into neurons, leading to oxidative stress and programmed cell death. This suggests Wi-Fi radiation may worsen neurological conditions by overwhelming brain cells with calcium.
Why This Matters
This study reveals a concerning mechanism by which Wi-Fi radiation may harm brain function, particularly in vulnerable populations. The researchers found that 2.45 GHz radiation - the same frequency used by Wi-Fi routers and many household devices - activated calcium channels in brain neurons, leading to cellular damage and death. What makes this especially significant is that the exposure level (SAR of 0.00052 W/kg) was extremely low, far below current safety limits. The science demonstrates that even brief, low-level Wi-Fi exposure can trigger harmful biological cascades in brain tissue. While this study focused on epileptic rats, it raises important questions about Wi-Fi's effects on healthy brains and whether current safety standards adequately protect neurological health.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 0.00052 W/kg
- Power Density
- 0.012 µW/m²
- Source/Device
- 2.45 GHz
- Exposure Duration
- continuous for 1 hour
Exposure Context
This study used 0.012 µW/m² for radio frequency:
- 1.2Mx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.1 μW/m²
- 20Kx above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 0.0006 μW/cm²
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
Incidence rates of epilepsy and use of Wi-Fi worldwide have been increasing. TRPV1 is a Ca(2+) permeable and non-selective channel, gated by noxious heat, oxidative stress and capsaicin (CAP). The hyperthermia and oxidant effects of Wi-Fi may induce apoptosis and Ca(2+) entry through activation of TRPV1 channel in epilepsy. Therefore, we tested the effects of Wi-Fi (2.45 GHz) exposure on Ca(2+) influx, oxidative stress and apoptosis through TRPV1 channel in the murine dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and hippocampus of pentylentetrazol (PTZ)-induced epileptic rats.
Rats in the present study were divided into two groups as controls and PTZ. The PTZ groups were divi...
The cytosolic free Ca(2+), reactive oxygen species production, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane dep...
In conclusion, epilepsy and Wi-Fi in our experimental model is involved in Ca(2+) influx and oxidative stress-induced hippocampal and DRG death through activation of TRPV1 channels, and negative modulation of this channel activity by CPZ pretreatment may account for the neuroprotective activity against oxidative stress.
Show BibTeX
@article{v_2014_electromagnetic_radiation_wifi_and_102,
author = {Ghazizadeh V and Nazıroğlu M},
title = {Electromagnetic radiation (Wi-Fi) and epilepsy induce calcium entry and apoptosis through activation of TRPV1 channel in hippocampus and dorsal root ganglion of rats},
year = {2014},
doi = {10.1007/s11011-014-9549-9},
url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11011-014-9549-9},
}