Exposure to Radiofrequency Induces Synaptic Dysfunction in Cortical Neurons Causing Learning and Memory Alteration in Early Postnatal Mice.

Abstract

The widespread use of wireless communication devices has necessitated unavoidable exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). In particular, increasing RF-EMF exposure among children is primarily driven by mobile phone use. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of 1850 MHz RF-EMF exposure at a specific absorption rate of 4.0 W/kg on cortical neurons in mice at postnatal day 28. The results indicated a significant reduction in the number of mushroom-shaped dendritic spines in the prefrontal cortex after daily exposure for 4 weeks. Additionally, prolonged RF-EMF exposure over 9 days led to a gradual decrease in postsynaptic density 95 puncta and inhibited neurite outgrowth in developing cortical neurons. Moreover, the expression levels of genes associated with synapse formation, such as synaptic cell adhesion molecules and cyclin-dependent kinase 5, were reduced in the cerebral cortexes of RF-EMF-exposed mice. Behavioral assessments using the Morris water maze revealed altered spatial learning and memory after the 4-week exposure period. These findings underscore the potential of RF-EMF exposure during childhood to disrupt synaptic function in the cerebral cortex, thereby affecting the developmental stages of the nervous system and potentially influencing later cognitive function.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In postnatal day 28 mice exposed to 1850 MHz RF-EMF at 4.0 W/kg, daily exposure for 4 weeks was associated with reduced mushroom-shaped dendritic spines in the prefrontal cortex and altered spatial learning and memory in the Morris water maze. Over 9 days, RF-EMF exposure was associated with decreased PSD-95 puncta and inhibited neurite outgrowth in developing cortical neurons, along with reduced expression of synapse-formation-related genes in the cerebral cortex.

Outcomes measured

• Dendritic spine morphology/number (mushroom-shaped spines) in prefrontal cortex
• Postsynaptic density 95 (PSD-95) puncta
• Neurite outgrowth in developing cortical neurons
• Expression of synapse-formation-related genes (e.g., synaptic cell adhesion molecules, cyclin-dependent kinase 5) in cerebral cortex
• Spatial learning and memory (Morris water maze)

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in provided abstract
• Exposure regimen details (e.g., hours/day, modulation, whole-body vs localized) not specified in provided abstract
• Findings are from an animal model; human relevance not directly assessed in provided abstract

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone",
        "frequency_mhz": 1850,
        "sar_wkg": 4,
        "duration": "daily exposure for 4 weeks; prolonged exposure over 9 days (developing cortical neurons)"
    },
    "population": "Early postnatal mice (postnatal day 28)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Dendritic spine morphology/number (mushroom-shaped spines) in prefrontal cortex",
        "Postsynaptic density 95 (PSD-95) puncta",
        "Neurite outgrowth in developing cortical neurons",
        "Expression of synapse-formation-related genes (e.g., synaptic cell adhesion molecules, cyclin-dependent kinase 5) in cerebral cortex",
        "Spatial learning and memory (Morris water maze)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In postnatal day 28 mice exposed to 1850 MHz RF-EMF at 4.0 W/kg, daily exposure for 4 weeks was associated with reduced mushroom-shaped dendritic spines in the prefrontal cortex and altered spatial learning and memory in the Morris water maze. Over 9 days, RF-EMF exposure was associated with decreased PSD-95 puncta and inhibited neurite outgrowth in developing cortical neurons, along with reduced expression of synapse-formation-related genes in the cerebral cortex.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in provided abstract",
        "Exposure regimen details (e.g., hours/day, modulation, whole-body vs localized) not specified in provided abstract",
        "Findings are from an animal model; human relevance not directly assessed in provided abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "RF-EMF",
        "radiofrequency",
        "1850 MHz",
        "SAR 4.0 W/kg",
        "postnatal mice",
        "cortical neurons",
        "prefrontal cortex",
        "dendritic spines",
        "PSD-95",
        "neurite outgrowth",
        "synapse formation genes",
        "Morris water maze",
        "learning and memory"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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