Exposure to Low Levels of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields Emitted from Cell-phones as a Promising Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: A Scoping Review Study

Abstract

Exposure to Low Levels of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields Emitted from Cell-phones as a Promising Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: A Scoping Review Study Shirbandi K, Khalafi M, J Bevelacqua J, Sadeghian N, Adiban S, Bahaeddini Zarandi F, Mortazavi SA, Mortazavi SH, Mortazavi SMJ, S Welsh J. Exposure to Low Levels of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields Emitted from Cell- phones as a Promising Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: A Scoping Review Study. J Biomed Phys Eng. 2023 Feb 1;13(1):3-16. doi: 10.31661/jbpe.v0i0.2109-1398. Abstract Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most significant public health concerns and tremendous economic challenges. Studies conducted over the past decades show that exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) may relieve AD symptoms. Objective: To determine if exposure to RF-EMFs emitted by cellphones affect the risk of AD. Material and methods: In this review, all relevant published articles reporting an association of cell phone use with AD were studied. We systematically searched international datasets to identify relevant studies. Finally, 33 studies were included in the review. Our review discusses the effects of RF-EMFs on the amyloid β (Aβ), oxidative stress, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), neuronal death, and astrocyte responses. Moreover, the role of exposure parameters, including the type of exposure, its duration, and specific absorption rate (SAR), are discussed. Results: Progressive factors of AD such as Aβ, myelin basic protein (MBP), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, and neurofilament light polypeptide (NFL) were decreased. While tau protein showed no change, factors affecting brain activity such as glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), cerebral blood flow (CBF), brain temperature, and neuronal activity were increased. Conclusion: Exposure to low levels of RF-EMFs can reduce the risk of AD by increasing MAPK and GFAP and decreasing MBP. Considering the role of apoptosis in AD and the effect of RF-EMF on the progression of the process, this review indicates the positive effect of these exposures. Conclusion Studies included in this review show that exposure to RF-EMFs act as a double-edged sword. While the findings of some studies indicate a reduced incidence of AD, other studies show an acceleration of the course of the disease. We believe that parameters such as the level of exposure (e.g., specific absorption rate, exposure duration, cumulative exposure, etc.) can determine if the response to RF-EMFs will prove beneficial or detrimental. A future research effort should be conducted to determine if there is an optimum range of SAR values or radio frequency ranges that affect AD either positively or negatively. Moreover, it is crucial to determine how the animal data can be translated into human effects. Therefore, further studies in this field are clearly warranted. Open access paper: jbpe.sums.ac.ir

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

This scoping review included 33 studies on associations between cellphone-related RF-EMF exposure and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Reported findings included decreases in several AD-related factors (e.g., Aβ, MBP, NADPH oxidase, NFL), no change in tau protein, and increases in measures related to brain activity (e.g., GFAP, MAPKs, CBF, brain temperature, neuronal activity). The authors note that included studies suggest RF-EMF exposure may be beneficial in some contexts but may accelerate disease course in others, with effects potentially depending on exposure parameters such as SAR and duration.

Outcomes measured

• Alzheimer's disease risk/incidence
• Alzheimer's disease course/progression
• Amyloid beta (Aβ)
• Oxidative stress
• Apoptosis
• Reactive oxygen species (ROS)
• Neuronal death
• Astrocyte responses
• Myelin basic protein (MBP)
• NADPH oxidase
• Neurofilament light polypeptide (NFL)
• Tau protein
• Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)
• Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs)
• Cerebral blood flow (CBF)
• Brain temperature
• Neuronal activity

Limitations

• Frequency, SAR, and exposure duration values were not specified in the abstract.
• The review includes heterogeneous outcomes and exposure parameters; effects are described as a 'double-edged sword' depending on exposure level and duration.
• Translation of animal data to human effects is described as uncertain; further studies are warranted.

Suggested hubs

• who-icnirp (0.25)
  Review of health effects from RF-EMF exposure (mobile phones), relevant to broader RF exposure guidance discussions.

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    "study_type": "review",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": null,
    "sample_size": 33,
    "outcomes": [
        "Alzheimer's disease risk/incidence",
        "Alzheimer's disease course/progression",
        "Amyloid beta (Aβ)",
        "Oxidative stress",
        "Apoptosis",
        "Reactive oxygen species (ROS)",
        "Neuronal death",
        "Astrocyte responses",
        "Myelin basic protein (MBP)",
        "NADPH oxidase",
        "Neurofilament light polypeptide (NFL)",
        "Tau protein",
        "Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)",
        "Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs)",
        "Cerebral blood flow (CBF)",
        "Brain temperature",
        "Neuronal activity"
    ],
    "main_findings": "This scoping review included 33 studies on associations between cellphone-related RF-EMF exposure and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Reported findings included decreases in several AD-related factors (e.g., Aβ, MBP, NADPH oxidase, NFL), no change in tau protein, and increases in measures related to brain activity (e.g., GFAP, MAPKs, CBF, brain temperature, neuronal activity). The authors note that included studies suggest RF-EMF exposure may be beneficial in some contexts but may accelerate disease course in others, with effects potentially depending on exposure parameters such as SAR and duration.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Frequency, SAR, and exposure duration values were not specified in the abstract.",
        "The review includes heterogeneous outcomes and exposure parameters; effects are described as a 'double-edged sword' depending on exposure level and duration.",
        "Translation of animal data to human effects is described as uncertain; further studies are warranted."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
        "RF-EMF",
        "cell phone",
        "mobile phone",
        "Alzheimer's disease",
        "Aβ",
        "tau",
        "oxidative stress",
        "apoptosis",
        "ROS",
        "GFAP",
        "MAPK",
        "cerebral blood flow",
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        "scoping review"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
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            "weight": 0.25,
            "reason": "Review of health effects from RF-EMF exposure (mobile phones), relevant to broader RF exposure guidance discussions."
        }
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}

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