Acute exposure of microwave impairs attention process by activating microglial inflammation

Authors: Jiang S, Ma Y, Shi Y, et al.

Year: 2024

Category: Neuroscience

Journal: Cell Biosci

DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01162-9

URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10768366/

Abstract

Overview

Attention forms the basis of cognitive functions and has been shown to be disrupted by microwave (MW) radiation. With increasing MW exposure in modern environments, concerns have grown regarding its impact on human attention. This study investigates the effects and underlying mechanisms of acute microwave exposure on attention.

Findings

  • Clear impairment of attention was observed in mice, tested via the five-choice serial reaction time (5-CSRT) task, following acute MW exposure.
  • Proteomic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed evidence of neuroinflammation and activation of microglia potentially caused by MW exposure.
  • Biochemical assays confirmed microglial activation specifically in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of exposed mice.
  • Administration of minocycline, an anti-inflammatory compound, significantly reduced neuroinflammation, suppressed upregulation of the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) subunits NR2A and NR2B, and improved recovery from attention deficits induced by MW exposure.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates that acute microwave exposure impairs attention by activating microglial inflammation and upregulating NMDAR in the brain. These effects provide direct evidence of a link between electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure and neurological health risks, such as attention deficits. Importantly, minocycline shows potential as an intervention to mitigate these adverse effects.

microwave radiation attention microglial activation neuroinflammation EMF health risk NMDAR minocycline
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