Effects of GSM 1800 MHz on dendritic development of cultured hippocampal neurons
Ning W, Xu SJ, Chiang H, Xu ZP, Zhou SY, Yang W, Luo JH · 2007
View Original AbstractCell phone radiation at 2.4 W/kg disrupted normal brain cell development in this study, suggesting potential risks during critical growth periods.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed developing rat brain cells (hippocampal neurons) to cell phone radiation at 1800 MHz for 15 minutes daily over 8 days. At the higher exposure level (2.4 W/kg), the radiation significantly disrupted normal brain cell development, reducing the formation of dendrites (the branch-like structures neurons use to communicate) and synapses (connection points between neurons). This suggests cell phone radiation during critical developmental periods could interfere with normal brain formation.
Why This Matters
This study reveals concerning effects on brain development at radiation levels that exceed but remain comparable to real-world cell phone use. The 2.4 W/kg exposure that caused developmental disruption is above the current safety limit of 2.0 W/kg in most countries, but well within the range phones can produce during heavy use or poor signal conditions. What makes this research particularly significant is its focus on developing neurons during their most vulnerable period. The hippocampus plays a crucial role in learning and memory, and the structural changes observed here could translate to functional deficits. The science demonstrates that EMF exposure during critical developmental windows may have lasting consequences that don't appear until later in life, highlighting why children's developing brains deserve special protection from wireless radiation.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 2.4 and 0.8 W/kg
- Source/Device
- GSM 1800 MHz
- Exposure Duration
- 15 min each day from 6 days in vitro (DIV6) to DIV14.
Exposure Context
This study used 2.4 and 0.8 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):
- 2x 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 evaluate the effects of global system for mobile communications (GSM) 1800 MHz microwaves on dendritic filopodia, dendritic arborization, and spine maturation during development in cultured hippocampal neurons in rats.
The cultured hippocampal neurons were exposed to GSM 1800 MHz microwaves with 2.4 and 0.8 W/kg, resp...
There was a significant decrease in the density and mobility of dendritic filopodia at DIV8 and in t...
These data indicate that the chronic exposure to 2.4 W/kg GSM 1800 MHz microwaves during the early developmental stage may affect dendritic development and the formation of excitatory synapses of hippocampal neurons in culture.
Show BibTeX
@article{w_2007_effects_of_gsm_1800_1226,
author = {Ning W and Xu SJ and Chiang H and Xu ZP and Zhou SY and Yang W and Luo JH},
title = {Effects of GSM 1800 MHz on dendritic development of cultured hippocampal neurons},
year = {2007},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18031599/},
}