title: Long-term electromagnetic exposure of developing neuronal networks: A flexible experimental setup.
abstract: Neuronal networks in vitro are considered one of the most promising targets of research to assess potential electromagnetic field induced effects on neuronal functionality. A few exposure studies revealed there is currently no evidence of any adverse health effects caused by weak electromagnetic fields. Nevertheless, some published results are inconsistent. Particularly, doubts have been raised regarding possible athermal biological effects in the young brain during neuronal development. Therefore, we developed and characterized a flexible experimental setup based on a transverse electromagnetic waveguide, allowing controlled, reproducible exposure of developing neuronal networks in vitro. Measurement of S-parameters confirmed very good performance of the Stripline in the band of 800-1000 MHz. Simulations suggested a flexible positioning of cell culture dishes throughout a large exposure area, as specific absorption rate values were quite independent of their position (361.7 ± 11.4 mW/kg) at 1 W, 900 MHz. During exposure, thermal drift inside cellular medium did not exceed 0.1 K. Embryonic rat cortical neurons were cultivated on microelectrode array chips to non-invasively assess electrophysiological properties of electrogenic networks. Measurements were taken for several weeks, which attest to the experimental setup being a reliable system for long-term studies on developing neuronal tissue.
authors.affiliation: BioMEMS Lab, Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences, Aschaffenburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oster
authors.affiliation: BioMEMS Lab, Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences, Aschaffenburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Daus
authors.affiliation: BioMEMS Lab, Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences, Aschaffenburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Erbes
authors.affiliation: BioMEMS Lab, Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences, Aschaffenburg, Germany.|Laboratory for Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences, Aschaffenburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goldhammer
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences, Aschaffenburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bochtler
authors.affiliation: BioMEMS Lab, Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences, Aschaffenburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thielemann
mesh_terms: D001369:Axons / Q000528:radiation effects; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000528:radiation effects; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D000069079:Radiation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011874:Radiometry; D013569:Synapses / Q000528:radiation effects; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: RF exposure setup; SAR dosimetry; electrophysiology; microelectrode array; mobile communication frequencies