Effects of microwaves from GSM mobile phones on the blood-brain barrier and neurons in rat brain

• Our group has since 1988 studied the effects of different intensities and modulations of 915MHz RF in a rat model where the exposure takes place in a TEM-cell during various time periods and post exposure recovery times. The power fed into TEM-cells was 0.125, 1.25, 12.5 or 125mW corresponding to whole body SAR (determined experimentally): 0.2, 2, 20 or 200mW/kg. The rats were awake and not restrained during exposure and after the recovery period the animals were anaesthetized and sacrificed by perfusion-fixation with 4% formaldehyde. Paraffin embedded 5 μm. thick brain slices were stained for albumin by applying albumin antibodies (Dakopatts), by which albumin is revealed as brownish discolorations. Dark neurons were revealed by staining for RNA/DNA with cresyl violet. In series of more than 1800 Fisher rats, we have proven that sub thermal power levels from both pulse-modulated and continuous RF fields - including those from real GSM mobile phones - have the potency to significantly open the BBB for the animals' own albumin (but not fibrinogen) to pass out into the brain and to accumulate in the neurons and glial cells surrounding the capillaries. Albumin extravasations are most prominent at the lower SAR values. This dose-response behaviour suggests some kind of energy or electromagnetic field strength windowing effect. A linear dose-response relationship for dark neurons was found at 50 days after exposure, with most prominent occurrence at SAR 200mW/kg.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Medicinteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Medical Engineering (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Andra medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Other Basic Medicine (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

kon (subject category)

ref (subject category)