The CB1R of mPFC is involved in anxiety-like behavior induced by 0.8/2.65 GHz dual-frequency electromagnetic radiation

PAPER manual Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience 2025 Animal study Effect: harm Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2025.1534324 Evidence Lab

Abstract

Category: Neuroscience Institution: Department of Environment and Security, China Institute of Information and Communication Technology Tags: electromagnetic fields, anxiety, CB1 receptor, mPFC, endocannabinoid system, dual-frequency, animal model DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2025.1534324 URL: frontiersin.org Overview With the increasing ubiquity of mobile phones and communication base stations, concerns about multi-frequency electromagnetic radiation (EMR) and its potential mental health risks are growing. This study establishes a mouse model using dual-frequency EMR at 0.8 and 2.65 GHz to explore molecular mechanisms and possible intervention targets. Findings - Exposure to dual-frequency EMR at 0.8/2.65 GHz significantly induced anxiety-like behavior in mice. - There was a marked decrease in cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) levels in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), as well as a decrease in endogenous cannabinoids 2-arachidonoylglycerol and anandamide, resulting in ECS downregulation. - Manipulating CB1R in the mPFC revealed: - Overexpression of CB1R reduced anxiety-like behaviors. - Knockdown of CB1R increased anxiety-like behaviors. - Dual-frequency EMR also altered the ECS in the basolateral amygdala (BLA). - Female mice exhibited similar behavioral and molecular responses to EMR exposure. Experimental Setup - An electromagnetic reverberation chamber (RC) was used, capable of generating frequencies from 0 to 3 GHz. - In this study, 0.8 and 2.65 GHz were applied at 4 W/kg for the animal model. Conclusion This study strongly links anxiety-like behavior to dual-frequency EMR exposure through functional changes in the ECS within the mPFC and BLA. The results highlight that altering CB1R expression in the mPFC can significantly modify anxiety outcomes in mice, underscoring the health risks associated with EMF exposure and providing insights for new treatment or prevention strategies regarding EMF-induced adverse emotional effects.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Animal study

Effect direction

harm

Population

Mice (including female mice)

Sample size

—

Exposure

RF · 4 W/kg

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 74% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

Dual-frequency EMR exposure at 0.8/2.65 GHz (4 W/kg) induced anxiety-like behavior in mice and was associated with decreased CB1R levels in the mPFC and reduced endocannabinoids (2-arachidonoylglycerol and anandamide), consistent with ECS downregulation. CB1R overexpression in the mPFC reduced anxiety-like behaviors, while CB1R knockdown increased anxiety-like behaviors; EMR exposure also altered ECS measures in the BLA, with similar responses reported in female mice.

Outcomes measured

Anxiety-like behavior
CB1 receptor (CB1R) levels in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)
Endocannabinoid system markers (2-arachidonoylglycerol, anandamide)
Endocannabinoid system changes in basolateral amygdala (BLA)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata
Exposure duration not reported in provided abstract/metadata
Exposure source/context (e.g., phone vs base station simulation) not specified beyond dual-frequency EMR in a reverberation chamber

Suggested hubs

who-icnirp (0.2)
RF exposure and health effects study potentially relevant to guideline discussions, though no policy content is provided.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": 4,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Mice (including female mice)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Anxiety-like behavior",
        "CB1 receptor (CB1R) levels in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)",
        "Endocannabinoid system markers (2-arachidonoylglycerol, anandamide)",
        "Endocannabinoid system changes in basolateral amygdala (BLA)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Dual-frequency EMR exposure at 0.8/2.65 GHz (4 W/kg) induced anxiety-like behavior in mice and was associated with decreased CB1R levels in the mPFC and reduced endocannabinoids (2-arachidonoylglycerol and anandamide), consistent with ECS downregulation. CB1R overexpression in the mPFC reduced anxiety-like behaviors, while CB1R knockdown increased anxiety-like behaviors; EMR exposure also altered ECS measures in the BLA, with similar responses reported in female mice.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata",
        "Exposure duration not reported in provided abstract/metadata",
        "Exposure source/context (e.g., phone vs base station simulation) not specified beyond dual-frequency EMR in a reverberation chamber"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "electromagnetic fields",
        "dual-frequency",
        "0.8 GHz",
        "2.65 GHz",
        "RF-EMR",
        "anxiety-like behavior",
        "CB1 receptor",
        "mPFC",
        "basolateral amygdala",
        "endocannabinoid system",
        "mouse model"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "who-icnirp",
            "weight": 0.200000000000000011102230246251565404236316680908203125,
            "reason": "RF exposure and health effects study potentially relevant to guideline discussions, though no policy content is provided."
        }
    ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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