The effects of acute and chronic exposure of 3G UMTS 2100 MHz radiofrequency radiation on rat mismatch negativity

Abstract

Category: Neuroscience Tags: radiofrequency radiation, UMTS, auditory system, mismatch negativity, sensory memory, rats, electromagnetic fields DOI: 10.1016/j.jrras.2025.102126 URL: sciencedirect.com Overview Cell phones emit radiofrequency radiation (RFR), a form of electromagnetic radiation (EMR), raising concerns about their potential risks to human health—particularly effects on the brain and auditory systems. This study investigates the impact of both acute (1-week) and chronic (10-week) exposures to 2100 MHz RFR—simulating 3G UMTS emissions—on mismatch negativity (MMN), a marker of auditory sensory memory, in rats. Methods - Rats were assigned to acute (RFR1) and chronic (RFR10) exposure groups, alongside cage control (CC1, CC10) and sham (S1, S10) groups. - Exposure: 2100 MHz, 35.2 V/m, SAR 128 mW/kg whole-body, 0.27 W/kg brain. - Assessment: Auditory event-related potentials (AERP), MMN wave analysis, biochemical, and histological evaluations of brain tissue. Findings - Acute exposure (RFR1): Led to reduced AMPAR GluR2 protein levels and increased GFAP, with visible brain changes (astrocytic endfeet edema, mitochondrial damage, lysosomal vesicles). - MMN amplitude, delta and theta power, and alpha coherence were significantly reduced in RFR1 compared to controls. - The acute period indicated adverse effects on auditory sensory memory and possible disruption of normal brain function by RFR exposure. - Chronic exposure (RFR10): Showed opposite protein expression trends and enhanced MMN parameters compared to chronic controls, hinting at time-dependent adaptive or protective responses in brain tissue. - No significant differences were observed in lipid peroxidation, suggesting the effects are not mediated by this pathway. Conclusion This research concludes that 2100 MHz RFR exposure can acutely impair auditory sensory memory—an effect associated with neurochemical and structural brain changes, implicating a link between electromagnetic field exposure and brain health risks. Chronic exposure may trigger endogenous protective mechanisms but also signals the need for further investigation, especially regarding relevance to human health. Note: The potential health risk from electromagnetic fields, particularly from radiofrequency radiation as studied here, should not be underestimated—clear physiological impacts were observed, underlining the urgency for further research and precautionary measures.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Acute 1-week 2100 MHz exposure was associated with reduced MMN amplitude and reduced delta/theta power and alpha coherence versus controls, alongside reduced AMPAR GluR2, increased GFAP, and reported brain histological changes. Chronic 10-week exposure showed opposite protein expression trends and enhanced MMN parameters compared to chronic controls; lipid peroxidation did not differ significantly.

Outcomes measured

• mismatch negativity (MMN) amplitude
• auditory event-related potentials (AERP)
• delta power
• theta power
• alpha coherence
• AMPAR GluR2 protein levels
• GFAP levels
• brain histological changes (astrocytic endfeet edema, mitochondrial damage, lysosomal vesicles)
• lipid peroxidation

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata
• Relevance to human health is not established in the abstract (animal study)
• Exposure regimen details beyond duration and SAR/field strength not provided in the abstract

Suggested hubs

• mobile-phones (0.9)
  Study simulates 3G UMTS mobile phone radiofrequency exposure at 2100 MHz.

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    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone (3G UMTS simulation)",
        "frequency_mhz": 2100,
        "sar_wkg": 0.12800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
        "duration": "acute 1-week; chronic 10-week"
    },
    "population": "rats",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "mismatch negativity (MMN) amplitude",
        "auditory event-related potentials (AERP)",
        "delta power",
        "theta power",
        "alpha coherence",
        "AMPAR GluR2 protein levels",
        "GFAP levels",
        "brain histological changes (astrocytic endfeet edema, mitochondrial damage, lysosomal vesicles)",
        "lipid peroxidation"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Acute 1-week 2100 MHz exposure was associated with reduced MMN amplitude and reduced delta/theta power and alpha coherence versus controls, alongside reduced AMPAR GluR2, increased GFAP, and reported brain histological changes. Chronic 10-week exposure showed opposite protein expression trends and enhanced MMN parameters compared to chronic controls; lipid peroxidation did not differ significantly.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata",
        "Relevance to human health is not established in the abstract (animal study)",
        "Exposure regimen details beyond duration and SAR/field strength not provided in the abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "radiofrequency radiation",
        "UMTS",
        "2100 MHz",
        "3G",
        "rats",
        "mismatch negativity",
        "auditory system",
        "sensory memory",
        "AERP",
        "GFAP",
        "GluR2",
        "histology"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "mobile-phones",
            "weight": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
            "reason": "Study simulates 3G UMTS mobile phone radiofrequency exposure at 2100 MHz."
        }
    ]
}

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