Nerve cell damage in mammalian brain after exposure to microwaves from GSM mobile phones

Environ Health Perspect. 2003 Jun;111(7):881-3; discussion A408. doi: 10.1289/ehp.6039.

Abstract

The possible risks of radio-frequency electromagnetic fields for the human body is a growing concern for our society. We have previously shown that weak pulsed microwaves give rise to a significant leakage of albumin through the blood-brain barrier. In this study we investigated whether a pathologic leakage across the blood-brain barrier might be combined with damage to the neurons. Three groups each of eight rats were exposed for 2 hr to Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) mobile phone electromagnetic fields of different strengths. We found highly significant (p< 0.002) evidence for neuronal damage in the cortex, hippocampus, and basal ganglia in the brains of exposed rats.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Albumins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / radiation effects
  • Brain / cytology
  • Brain / radiation effects*
  • Cell Phone*
  • Electromagnetic Fields / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Male
  • Microwaves / adverse effects
  • Neurons / radiation effects*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred F344
  • Sweden

Substances

  • Albumins