Multi-frequency electromagnetic radiation induces anxiety in mice via inflammation in the cerebral
Keywords
Mice whole-body exposed to multi-frequency RF (0.9/1.5/2.65 GHz) at 4 W/kg for 2 h/day for 4 weeks showed anxiety-like behavior but not severe depression. Neurotransmitters GABA, DA, and 5-HT decreased (ACh not significantly changed), BDNF/TrkB/CREB increased…
Study snapshot
Abstract
Multi-frequency electromagnetic radiation induces anxiety in mice via inflammation in the cerebral cortex Jing X, Menghua L, Lihui Z, Qian W, Xueli W, Xuelong Z, Zhihui L, Guofu D, Changzhen W. Multi-frequency electromagnetic radiation induces anxiety in mice via inflammation in the cerebral cortex. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2024 May 9. doi: 10.1007/s11356-024-33447-y. Abstract Modern life is filled with radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) in various frequency bands, while the health risks are not clear. In this study, mice were whole-body exposed to 0.9/1.5/2.65 GHz radiofrequency radiation at 4 W/kg for 2 h per day for 4 weeks to investigate the emotional effects. It was found that the mice showed anxiety but no severe depression. The ELISA results showed a significant decrease in amino acid neurotransmitters (GABA, DA, 5-HT), although acetylcholine (ACH) levels were not significantly altered. Furthermore, Western blot results showed that BDNF, TrkB, and CREB levels were increased in the cerebral cortex, while NF-κB levels were decreased. In addition, pro- inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) were significantly elevated, and anti-inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-10) tended to decrease. In conclusion, multi-frequency electromagnetic radiation induces an inflammatory response through the CREB-BDNF-TrkB and NF-κB pathways in the cerebral cortex and causes a decrease in excitatory neurotransmitters, which ultimately causes anxiety in mice. Excerpt In conclusion, these findings suggest that multi-frequency RF-EMR may induce anxiety by decreasing brain neurotransmitter levels and triggering inflammatory responses via the CREB-BDNF-TrkB pathway (Fig. 5). Currently, there are few studies on the relationship between multi-frequency electromagnetic radiation and mood changes, and this study provides some data support and a direction for future research. However, further in-depth investigations are needed to elucidate the specific mechanism of whether multi-frequency RF-EMR can induce negative emotions. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
AI evidence extraction
Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.
Main findings
Mice whole-body exposed to multi-frequency RF (0.9/1.5/2.65 GHz) at 4 W/kg for 2 h/day for 4 weeks showed anxiety-like behavior but not severe depression. Neurotransmitters GABA, DA, and 5-HT decreased (ACh not significantly changed), BDNF/TrkB/CREB increased and NF-κB decreased in cerebral cortex, with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-10) tending to decrease.
Outcomes measured
- Anxiety-like behavior
- Depression-like behavior
- Neurotransmitter levels (GABA, DA, 5-HT, ACh)
- Protein expression in cerebral cortex (BDNF, TrkB, CREB, NF-κB)
- Inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10)
Limitations
- Sample size not reported in abstract
- Animal study; generalizability to humans not established
- Exposure scenario (multi-frequency, 4 W/kg whole-body) may not reflect typical real-world human exposures
- Mechanistic conclusions noted as needing further in-depth investigation
View raw extracted JSON
{
"study_type": "animal",
"exposure": {
"band": "RF",
"source": null,
"frequency_mhz": null,
"sar_wkg": 4,
"duration": "2 h/day for 4 weeks (whole-body exposure)"
},
"population": "Mice",
"sample_size": null,
"outcomes": [
"Anxiety-like behavior",
"Depression-like behavior",
"Neurotransmitter levels (GABA, DA, 5-HT, ACh)",
"Protein expression in cerebral cortex (BDNF, TrkB, CREB, NF-κB)",
"Inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10)"
],
"main_findings": "Mice whole-body exposed to multi-frequency RF (0.9/1.5/2.65 GHz) at 4 W/kg for 2 h/day for 4 weeks showed anxiety-like behavior but not severe depression. Neurotransmitters GABA, DA, and 5-HT decreased (ACh not significantly changed), BDNF/TrkB/CREB increased and NF-κB decreased in cerebral cortex, with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-10) tending to decrease.",
"effect_direction": "harm",
"limitations": [
"Sample size not reported in abstract",
"Animal study; generalizability to humans not established",
"Exposure scenario (multi-frequency, 4 W/kg whole-body) may not reflect typical real-world human exposures",
"Mechanistic conclusions noted as needing further in-depth investigation"
],
"evidence_strength": "low",
"confidence": 0.78,
"peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
"keywords": [
"radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation",
"multi-frequency",
"0.9 GHz",
"1.5 GHz",
"2.65 GHz",
"SAR 4 W/kg",
"whole-body exposure",
"anxiety",
"neurotransmitters",
"inflammation",
"cerebral cortex",
"BDNF",
"TrkB",
"CREB",
"NF-κB",
"IL-6",
"IL-1β",
"TNF-α"
],
"suggested_hubs": [
{
"slug": "animal-studies",
"weight": 0.9,
"reason": "Whole-body RF-EMR exposure experiment conducted in mice."
}
]
}AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.
Identifiers and source
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33447-y
PubMed: 38724846