Effects of GSM and UMTS mobile telephony signals on neuron degeneration and blood-brain barrier permeation in the rat brain

Electromagnetic Field Stimulation Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative dementia worldwide. AD is a multifactorial disease that causes a progressive decline in memory and function precipitated by toxic beta-amyloid (Aβ) proteins, a key player in AD pathology. In 2022, 6.5 million Americans lived with AD, costing the nation $321billion. The standard of care for AD treatment includes acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AchEIs), NMDA receptor antagonists, and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). However, these methods are either: 1) ineffective in improving cognition, 2) unable to change disease progression, 3) limited in the number of therapeutic targets, 4) prone to cause severe side effects (brain swelling, microhemorrhages with mAb, and bradycardia and syncope with AchEIs), 5) unable to effectively cross the blood-brain barrier, and 6) lack of understanding of the aging process on the disease. mAbs are available to lower Aβ, but the difficulties of reducing the levels of the toxic Aβ proteins in the brain without triggering brain swelling or microhemorrhages associated with mAbs make the risk-benefit profile of mAbs unclear. A novel multitarget, effective, and safe non-invasive approach utilizing Repeated Electromagnetic Field Stimulation (REMFS) lowers Aβ levels in human neurons and memory areas, prevents neuronal death, stops disease progression, and improves memory without causing brain edema or bleeds in AD mice. This REMFS treatment has not been developed for humans because current EMF devices have poor penetration depth and inhomogeneous E-field distribution in the brain. Here, we discussed the biology of these effects in neurons and the design of optimal devices to treat AD.

Form and Function of the Vertebrate and Invertebrate Blood-Brain Barriers

The need to protect neural tissue from toxins or other substances is as old as neural tissue itself. Early recognition of this need has led to more than a century of investigation of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Many aspects of this important neuroprotective barrier have now been well established, including its cellular architecture and barrier and transport functions. Unsurprisingly, most research has had a human orientation, using mammalian and other animal models to develop translational research findings. However, cell layers forming a barrier between vascular spaces and neural tissues are found broadly throughout the invertebrates as well as in all vertebrates. Unfortunately, previous scenarios for the evolution of the BBB typically adopt a classic, now discredited 'scala naturae' approach, which inaccurately describes a putative evolutionary progression of the mammalian BBB from simple invertebrates to mammals. In fact, BBB-like structures have evolved independently numerous times, complicating simplistic views of the evolution of the BBB as a linear process. Here, we review BBBs in their various forms in both invertebrates and vertebrates, with an emphasis on the function, evolution, and conditional relevance of popular animal models such as the fruit fly and the zebrafish to mammalian BBB research.

1800 MHz Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Impairs Neurite Outgrowth Through Inhibiting EPHA5 Signaling

The increasing intensity of environmental radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) has increased public concern about its health effects. Of particular concern are the influences of RF-EMF exposure on the development of the brain. The mechanisms of how RF-EMF acts on the developing brain are not fully understood. Here, based on high-throughput RNA sequencing techniques, we revealed that transcripts related to neurite development were significantly influenced by 1800 MHz RF-EMF exposure during neuronal differentiation. Exposure to RF-EMF remarkably decreased the total length of neurite and the number of branch points in neural stem cells-derived neurons and retinoic acid-induced Neuro-2A cells. The expression of Eph receptors 5 (EPHA5), which is required for neurite outgrowth, was inhibited remarkably after RF-EMF exposure. Enhancing EPHA5 signaling rescued the inhibitory effects of RF-EMF on neurite outgrowth. Besides, we identified that cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) and RhoA were critical downstream factors of EPHA5 signaling in mediating the inhibitory effects of RF-EMF on neurite outgrowth. Together, our finding revealed that RF-EMF exposure impaired neurite outgrowth through EPHA5 signaling. This finding explored the effects and key mechanisms of how RF-EMF exposure impaired neurite outgrowth and also provided a new clue to understanding the influences of RF-EMF on brain development.

Trace elements homeostasis in brain exposed to 900 MHz RFW emitted from a BTS-antenna model and the protective role of vitamin E

Advances in telecommunication and their broad usage in the community have become a great concern from the health aspect. The object of the present study was to examine the effects of exposure to 900 MHz RFW on brain Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn) and Manganese (Mn) concentration, and the protective role of pre-treatment of vitamin E on mentioned elements homoeostasis. Twenty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (200 ± 20 g) randomly were divided into four groups. Control group (without any exposure, received distilled water), treatment control group (orally received 250 mg/kg BW/d vitamin E), treatment group (received 250 mg/kg BW/d vitamin E and exposed to 900 MHz RFW) and sham-exposed group (exposed to 900 MHz RFW). Animals (with freely moving in the cage) were exposed to RFW for 30 consecutive days (4 hr/day). The levels of the above mentioned elements in the brain tissue were determined on the last day using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Exposure to 900 MHz RFW induced a significant increase in the Fe, Cu, Mn levels and Cu/Zn ratio accompanied by a significant decrease in Zn level in the sham-exposed group compare to control group. Vitamin E pre-treatment improved the level of Fe, Cu, Mn and Cu/Zn ratio, except in the Zn concentration. Exposure to 900 MHz RFW caused disrupted trace elements homoeostasis in the brain tissue and administration of vitamin E as an antioxidant and neuroprotective agent improved the situation.

Effects of Long-Term Exposure to Low-Power 915 MHz Unmodulated Radiation on Phaseolus vulgaris L

The morphophysiological response of Phaseolus vulgaris L. to low-power electromagnetic radiation was investigated in order to assess the potential harmful effects of long-term continuous exposure. The plants were grown in two separate electromagnetic field (EMF) shielded rooms, in a controlled, greenhouse-like environment. One batch was continuously irradiated during the growth period (from sowing to maturity) and the other one was used as a reference. An unmodulated signal at 915 MHz (the central frequency between the uplink and downlink of the GSM900 mobile communications band) was used, with a maximum power density of 10 mW/m² measured near the plants. The plants were analyzed using ultraviolet-visible, statistical, morphometric, and electron microscopy methods. Significant differences were observed regarding the height of the plants, number of inflorescences, and chlorophyll and carotenoid content, all closely connected with the ultrastructural changes observed in the leaves. The irradiated batch grew higher (19% increase in plant height, 20% increase in stem and leaves' dry mass), with 18% fewer inflorescences, and extremely long roots (34% increase in dry mass). The ultrastructure of the irradiated leaves showed irregular cells and a higher content of plastoglobules in the chloroplasts. All results indicate that the irradiated plants suffered significant morphological modifications during their long-term exposure to the specific EM radiation. Bioelectromagnetics. © 2020 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

Effect of 900-, 1800-, and 2100-MHz radiofrequency radiation on DNA and oxidative stress in brain

Ubiquitous and ever increasing use of mobile phones led to the growing concern about the effects of radiofrequency radiation (RFR) emitted by cell phones on biological systems. The aim of this study is to explore whether long-term RFR exposure at different frequencies affects DNA damage and oxidant-antioxidant parameters in the blood and brain tissue of rats. 28 male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four equal groups (n = 7). They were identified as Group 1: sham-control, Group 2: 900 MHz, Group 3: 1800 MHz, and Group 4: 2100 MHz. Experimental groups of rats were exposed to RFR 2 h/day for 6 months. The sham-control group of rats was subjected to the same experimental condition but generator was turned off. Specific absorption rates (SARs) at brain with 1 g average were calculated as 0.0845 W/kg, 0.04563 W/kg, and 0.03957, at 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2100 MHz, respectively. Additionally, malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), total antioxidant status (TAS), and total oxidant status (TOS) analyses were conducted in the brain tissue samples. Results of the study showed that DNA damage and oxidative stress indicators were found higher in the RFR exposure groups than in the sham-control group. In conclusion, 900-, 1800-, and 2100-MHz RFR emitted from mobile phones may cause oxidative damage, induce increase in lipid peroxidation, and increase oxidative DNA damage formation in the frontal lobe of the rat brain tissues. Furthermore, 2100-MHz RFR may cause formation of DNA single-strand breaks.