Abstract

Overview

The study investigates the neuronal effects of prolonged exposure to electromagnetic radiation from commonly used mobile phones, focusing on its impacts on hypothalamic neurons in mice.

Findings

• Exposure to a 835 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field, at a specific absorption rate of 4.0 W/kg for 5 hours a day over 12 weeks, influenced hypothalamic presynaptic neurons in C57BL/6 mice.
• Notable decreases were observed in the number and size of synaptic vesicles (SVs) at the hypothalamic presynaptic terminals, following electromagnetic field exposure.
• There was a significant reduction in the density of docking and fusing SVs in the active zones of the presynaptic terminal membrane, which can directly diminish neurotransmitter release.
• Levels of synapsin I/II and synaptotagmin 1, crucial regulators of SV trafficking, along with the expression of calcium channels, were significantly decreased.

Conclusion

While the study reveals significant microstructural changes in hypothalamic neurons due to radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure, it did not detect immediate phenotypical changes such as alterations in core body temperature, body weight, or performance in the buried pellet test under the used experimental conditions.