graph TD
A[nnEMF exposure] --> B[Mitochondrial disruption]
B --> C[ETC slippage + ROS]
C --> D[Kinase / phosphatase imbalance]
C --> E[Pyruvate backlog]
E --> F[↑ Alanine production]
D --> G[Tau hyper‑phosphorylation]
G --> H[Microtubule destabilisation]
H --> I[Neurofibrillary tangles]
Step A → C: Low‑SAR RF/ELF fields raise mitochondrial O2•−, H2O2, and •OH in vitro and in vivo, independent of tissue heating.
Step C → D: ROS oxidatively activates GSK‑3β & p38‑MAPK while inhibiting PP2A, tipping tau toward hyper‑phosphorylation.
Step E → F: Excess cytosolic pyruvate is transaminated to alanine via ALT to regenerate NAD⁺, producing the characteristic alanine spike seen in ASD & prodromal AD.
Consequence: In children, chronic bioenergetic stress skews neurodevelopment (mitochondrial subtype of ASD); in ageing brains it accelerates tauopathy and cognitive decline (AD).