Acute exposure to GSM 900-MHz electromagnetic fields induces glial reactivity and biochemical modifications in the rat brain.
The worldwide proliferation of mobile phones raises the question of the effects of 900-MHz electromagnetic fields (EMF) on the brain. Using a head-only exposure device in the rat, we showed that a 15-min exposure to 900-MHz pulsed microwaves at a high brain-averaged power of 6 W/kg induced a strong glial reaction in the brain. This effect, which suggests neuronal damage, was particularly pronounced in the striatum. Moreover, we observed significant and immediate effects on the Kd and Bmax values of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and GABA(A) receptors as well as on dopamine transporters. Decrease of the amount of NMDA receptors at the postsynaptic membrane is also reported. Although we showed that the rat general locomotor behavior was not significantly altered on the short term, our results provide the first evidence for rapid cellular and molecular alterations in the rat brain after an acute exposure to high power GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) 900-MHz microwaves.
Mausset-Bonnefont
Anne-Laure
AL
INSERM U583, Institut des Neurosciences de Montpellier, Montpellier, France. mausset@yahoo.com
Hirbec
Hélène
H
Bonnefont
Xavier
X
Privat
Alain
A
Vignon
Jacques
J
de Sèze
René
R
D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008872:Microwaves; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000528:radiation effects; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000473:pathology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014316:Tritium
D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D014316:Tritium