Abstract

Overview

The increasing intensity of environmental radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) raises significant public concern regarding their potential health risks. Particularly, the effects on brain development due to RF-EMF exposure are worrying.

Findings

• Use of high-throughput RNA sequencing disclosed significant alterations in transcripts related to neurite development caused by 1800 MHz RF-EMF exposure.
• Exposure led to decreased neurite length and number of branch points in neurons derived from neural stem cells and Neuro-2A cells.
• Significant inhibition was observed in the expression of Eph receptors 5 (EPHA5), which is essential for neurite outgrowth.
• Enhancing EPHA5 signaling could potentially reverse the inhibitory effects of RF-EMF on neurite outgrowth.
• The study also identified cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) and RhoA as crucial downstream factors of EPHA5 signaling affected by RF-EMF.

Conclusion

Present findings clearly indicate that exposure to RF-EMF can impair neurite outgrowth by disrupting EPHA5 signaling, providing new insights into the detrimental effects of EMF on brain development and highlighting the importance of EMF safety measures.