title: 1950 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields do not aggravate memory deficits in 5xFAD mice.
abstract: The increased use of mobile phones has generated public concern about the impact of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on health. In the present study, we investigated whether RF-EMFs induce molecular changes in amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing and amyloid beta (Aβ)-related memory impairment in the 5xFAD mouse, which is a widely used amyloid animal model. The 5xFAD mice at the age of 1.5 months were assigned to two groups (RF-EMF- and sham-exposed groups, eight mice per group). The RF-EMF group was placed in a reverberation chamber and exposed to 1950 MHz electromagnetic fields for 3 months (SAR 5 W/kg, 2 h/day, 5 days/week). The Y-maze, Morris water maze, and novel object recognition memory test were used to evaluate spatial and non-spatial memory following 3-month RF-EMF exposure. Furthermore, Aβ deposition and APP and carboxyl-terminal fragment β (CTFβ) levels were evaluated in the hippocampus and cortex of 5xFAD mice, and plasma levels of Aβ peptides were also investigated. In behavioral tests, mice that were exposed to RF-EMF for 3 months did not exhibit differences in spatial and non-spatial memory compared to the sham-exposed group, and no apparent change was evident in locomotor activity. Consistent with behavioral data, RF-EMF did not alter APP and CTFβ levels or Aβ deposition in the brains of the 5xFAD mice. These findings indicate that 3-month RF-EMF exposure did not affect Aβ-related memory impairment or Aβ accumulation in the 5xFAD Alzheimer's disease model. Bioelectromagnetics. 37:391-399, 2016. © 2016 The Authors Bioelectromagnetics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Bioelectromagnetics Society.
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiation Effects, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yeonghoon
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Son
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiation Effects, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ye Ji
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Radio and Broadcasting Technology Laboratory, Department of EMF Research Team, Daejon, Korea.
authors.forename: Jong Hwa
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Radio and Broadcasting Technology Laboratory, Department of EMF Research Team, Daejon, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyung-Do
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Radio Sciences and Engineering, College of Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejon, Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong-Ki
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Pack
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Korea.
authors.forename: Nam
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yun-Sil
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiation Effects, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hae-June
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000528:radiation effects; D008568:Memory / Q000528:radiation effects*; D051379:Mice; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000528:radiation effects; D059748:Proteolysis / Q000528:radiation effects; D011846:Radio Waves / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
keywords: Alzheimer's disease mice; RF-EMF; hippocampus; memory impairment; β-amyloid