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Brain & Nervous System

1950 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields do not aggravate memory deficits in 5xFAD mice.

No Effects Found

Son Y, Jeong YJ, Kwon JH, Choi HD, Pack JK, Kim N, Lee YS, Lee HJ · 2016

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Cell phone radiation at 5 W/kg didn't worsen Alzheimer's symptoms in mice, but broader brain health questions remain unresolved.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed mice genetically modified to develop Alzheimer's-like symptoms to cell phone radiation (1950 MHz) for 3 months to see if it would worsen their memory problems. The radiation exposure at 5 W/kg (about 5 times higher than typical phone use) did not make the mice's memory worse or increase the brain plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease. This suggests that cell phone radiation may not accelerate Alzheimer's progression, at least in this animal model.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 1.95 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 1.95 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

The study examined exposure from: 1950 MHz Duration: 2 h/day, 5 days/week for 3 months

Study Details

The increased use of mobile phones has generated public concern about the impact of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on health. In the present study, we investigated whether RF-EMFs induce molecular changes in amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing and amyloid beta (Aβ)-related memory impairment in the 5xFAD mouse, which is a widely used amyloid animal model.

The 5xFAD mice at the age of 1.5 months were assigned to two groups (RF-EMF- and sham-exposed groups...

These findings indicate that 3-month RF-EMF exposure did not affect Aβ-related memory impairment or Aβ accumulation in the 5xFAD Alzheimer's disease model.

Cite This Study
Son Y, Jeong YJ, Kwon JH, Choi HD, Pack JK, Kim N, Lee YS, Lee HJ (2016). 1950 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields do not aggravate memory deficits in 5xFAD mice. Bioelectromagnetics. 37(6):391-399, 2016.
Show BibTeX
@article{y_2016_1950_mhz_radiofrequency_electromagnetic_3413,
  author = {Son Y and Jeong YJ and Kwon JH and Choi HD and Pack JK and Kim N and Lee YS and Lee HJ},
  title = {1950 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields do not aggravate memory deficits in 5xFAD mice.},
  year = {2016},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27434853/},
}
PubMed: 27434853

Cited By (35 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

A 2016 study found that cell phone radiation (1950 MHz) did not worsen memory problems or brain plaques in mice genetically modified to develop Alzheimer's-like symptoms. The radiation exposure for 3 months at levels 5 times higher than typical phone use showed no acceleration of disease progression.
Research using Alzheimer's disease model mice showed that 3 months of cell phone radiation exposure did not worsen memory deficits. The study used 1950 MHz frequency at high exposure levels (5 W/kg) but found no significant impact on memory performance or brain pathology.
A controlled study found no evidence that cell phone radiation worsens dementia-related symptoms. Researchers exposed Alzheimer's model mice to 1950 MHz radiation for 3 months at high levels, but saw no increase in memory problems or characteristic brain plaques associated with the disease.
Current research suggests cell phone radiation may not increase Alzheimer's risks. A 2016 study exposed genetically modified mice to cell phone frequencies for 3 months at levels much higher than normal use, finding no worsening of memory deficits or brain plaque accumulation typical of Alzheimer's disease.
Research indicates phone radiation does not increase brain plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease. A study using 1950 MHz radiation exposure on Alzheimer's model mice for 3 months found no effect on amyloid beta accumulation, the protein plaques characteristic of the disease, even at high exposure levels.