Exposure to Low Levels of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields Emitted from Cell-phones as a Promising Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: A Scoping Review Study

Abstract

Overview

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major public health issue causing substantial economic challenges globally. This scoping review comprehensively examines the correlation between exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) from cellphones and their potential in mitigating AD symptoms.

Objective

The study explores whether RF-EMFs from cellphones influence AD risk.

Materials and Methods

• Examination of 33 pertinent studies linking cell phone usage to Alzheimer's disease.
• Detailed analysis of international datasets for relevant studies.
• Discussion on RF-EMFs' impact on amyloid β (Aβ), oxidative stress, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), neuronal death, and astrocyte responses.
• Consideration of exposure parameters like type, duration, and specific absorption rate (SAR).

Findings

Relevant biomarkers of AD progression such as Aβ, myelin basic protein (MBP), and others showed decline, whereas indicators of brain activity like glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) were enhanced. Noteworthy is that tau protein levels remained unchanged.

Conclusion

The review presents a dual perspective on RF-EMF exposure: it potentially lowers AD risk by influencing certain proteins and brain activities but also may accelerate disease progression depending on exposure levels. Future research should focus on finding optimal SAR values and understanding how animal model results translate to human health scenarios.

Given the implications on public health, vigilant monitoring and regulated exposure to electromagnetic fields are recommended to safeguard against potential risks associated with their use.