Greek Researchers Show Crucial Regions of the Brain Related to Learning, Memory, Alzheimer’s Impacted by Whole Body EMF Exposure in Animals
25.01.2012 by emily Category Electromagnetic Health Blog
A Greek scientific study led by Adamantia Fragopoulou
and Lukas Margaritis has demonstrated important protein changes in the brain of
animals following whole body exposure to RF electromagnetic fields, similar to
the kind of microwave radiation emitted from cell phones, portable phones, WiFi
and wireless computer equipment. The study, “Brain proteome response
following whole body exposure of mice to mobile phone or wireless DECT base
radiation”, was published in Electromagnetic
Biology and Medicine, Early Online: 1–25, 2012 (See
Abstract, below).
Important regions of the brain necessary for learning,
memory and other functions of the mammalian brain were impacted
by the microwave radiation, including the hippocampus, cerebellum
and frontal lobe, at exposures below the ICNIRP (International
Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) safety guidelines. A
total of 143 proteins in the brain were impacted by the RF radiation over a
period of 8 months, providing new evidence for a potential relationship between
everyday cell phone use, wireless transmitters and wireless computer equipment
and electrosensitivity symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness and sleep
disorders, as well as with tumors, Alzheimer’s and even metabolic effects.
The
study simulated 3 hours of cell phone exposure over eight months, 8 hours of
DECT portable phone exposure over eight months, and included a sham exposure
control group. The results showed both down regulation and up regulation of the
proteins.
Several neural function
related proteins (i.e. Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP),
Alpha-synuclein, Glia Maturation Factor beta (GMF), and apolipoprotein E
(apoE)), heat shock proteins, and cytoskeletal proteins (i.e. neurofilaments
and tropomodulin), were shown to be impacted by the radiation, as well as proteins
of the brain metabolism (i.e. Aspartate aminotransferase, Glutamate
dehydrogenase), in nearly all of the brain regions studied.
Figure 2 from
the study shows the 143 proteins that have changed (up- or down-regulated) and
their functional relationship based on a literature survey.
“Our study is important because it shows for the
first time protein changes in the mouse brain after EMF exposure and in
particular in very crucial regions like hippocampus, cerebellum and
frontal lobe, all involved in learning, memory and other complicated
functions of the mammalian brain. We have demonstrated that 143 proteins
are altered after electromagnetic radiation, including proteins that have been
correlated so far with Alzheimer’s, glioblastoma, stress and metabolism. In its
perspective, this study is anticipated to throw light in the understanding of
such health effects like headaches, dizziness, sleep disorders, memory
disorders, brain tumors, all of them related, to the function of the altered
brain proteins.
“Until now there is limited evidence relating EMFs with the
impact on specific brain proteins. Further analysis of the affected proteins as
well as replicating the experiment under similar conditions (data presently
under analysis) is expected to offer new insights explaining the overall
effects.”
Lukas H. Margaritis, PhD, Professor Emeritus (as of Sept
2010) of Cell Biology and Radiobiology, Dept of Cell Biology and Biophysics,
University of Athens, head of the Athens research group, says,
“A high
throughput approach (mass characterization of biomolecules, similar to
microarrays that analyze the total genes of an organism) as that of the Proteomics* has never been used so far in EMF research of BRAIN
TISSUES following whole body exposure of model animals (mice) at SAR
values below ICNIRP’s recommendations. It is also the first time that
wireless DECT phones base radiation is involved in lab animal studies and
specifically in such molecular effects. The message taken out of this work is
that people should be very cautious when using mobile phones next to their body
(especially next to their brain), whereas the wireless DECT should be located
as far away as possible from places that people use to spend many hours a day,
not to mention children of all ages.”
* Proteomics is the study of the
structure and function of proteins. Proteins are the primary components of the
physiological metabolic pathways of all cells. They influence the functioning
of all bodily systems, such as the immune system, endocrine system,
neurological system (including cognitive function), respiratory system, etc.
Malfunction in protein integrity has been linked to hereditary diseases,
nervous system disorders, diabetes, to name just a few cases. Proteins are
responsible for energy production and information transfer, in fact modern CELL
BIOLOGY considers that there is no single cellular function that is not
mediated by proteins.
The study by Fragopoulou et al. suggests immediate
follow up on these findings are warranted, as changes in molecular effects in
the brain can raise questions about what the effects would be on the brain after
much longer durations of exposure to RF radiation, as is common today
from frequent cell phone use and wireless exposures, as well as the effect
of cumulative exposures on the brain and mental functioning; immune
system defects; fatigue; chronic sleep disorders; and effects on fetuses and
sperm quality. The research extends our understanding from the Volkow et al.
study (JAMA. 2011;305(8):808-813. doi: 10.1001/jama.2011.186),
which demonstrated impacts of cell phone radiation exposure on brain glucose
metabolism, without understanding the mechanisms of action. The Fragopoulou et
al. study presents a plausible theory why glucose metabolism in the brain may
become altered, possibly through an oxidative stress effect.
Special
Concern for Children
Regarding the implications of the Greek findings for
the learning capability of children in formative years, the authors say,
“The
evidence for disregulation of proteins in the brain from whole body exposure to
RF/MW radiation, such as the radiation emitted by cell phones, portable phones,
wireless devices or ambient RF/MW from cell towers, whether proteins are
upregulated or downregulated, is of great concern for its impact on children’s
capacity to learn."
When considered together with other studies published by
the University of Athens team (Fragopoulou et al., 2010, on spatial
memory disorder, and Ntzouni et al., 2011 on recognition
memory disorders, the authors say, “This proteome study implies that mobile
phone radiation exposure at a normal intensity (and even below ICNIRP’s
guidelines) is capable of detuning learning/memory functions and
possibly other brain functions important in person-to-person communication
and understanding. The impacts on society are unpredictable as EMFs are not
a drug that is delivered to specific body parts or functions. EMFs can attack
through oxidative stress every single cell that receives enough energy at
non-thermal levels. The potential consequences for learning, memory and
interpersonal relations, at the very least, need society’s immediate attention,
given the widespread exposure to microwave radiation across the globe.”
People
exposed to microwave radiation from cell phones, wireless networks and citywide
Wi-Fi have long complained of cognitive difficulties ranging from attention
problems, difficulty focusing, poor memory, visual and hearing disruptions,
headaches, dizziness, depression and foggy thinking. The Fragopoulou et al.
study deepens scientists’ understanding of the mechanisms of action
of microwave radiation’s effect on the brain, and on mental functioning, due to
changes in proteins and in protein functioning.
Dr. Martin Blank,
Associate Professor, Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia
University, and Past President of the Bioelectromagnetics Society, says,
“The
paper by Goodman and Henderson (1987) showed that short-term (minutes)
exposure to EMF will stimulate protein synthesis, and Fragopoulou et al.
now show that this can lead to important changes in brain composition and
function. Such changes may account for symptoms like insomnia,
nervousness, fatigue, headaches, etc. that people report after exposure
to cell phones and other wireless technologies. The biological verdict
became obvious when Goodman and Blank (1994) showed that cells react to
EMF as potentially harmful by activating the cellular stress response.
There is no question that we should limit our exposure to EMF to help protect
our brains and all cells in the body.”
Studies Showing RF Effects Below
Safety Guidelines
A growing body of research clearly shows health effects
from microwave radiation at non-thermal levels of exposure, and effects
at exposures far lower than international safety guidelines. One review of the
literature, by Carlos Sosa, MD of Columbia, South America, found biological
effects from non-thermal levels of EMF exposure at exposure levels well below
international safety guidelines in several respects:
The UK charity MobileWise recently published “Mobile phone
health risks: the case for action to protect children” in
November 2011, summarizing and listing more than 200 peer-reviewed studies from
a range of international research institutions linking mobile phones at
non-thermal exposures to serious biological and health consequences.
A Russian
team of researchers also has recently released a study published in Radiation Biology, Radiation Ecology 2011. Volume 51, No.5, p 611-623 showing significant
long-term (4 years) cognitive decline in children (ages 7-12) in users of
mobile devices compared to controls, once again demonstrating exposure
guidelines are inadequate. Lead author of the study, Professor Yury Grigoriev,
Chairman of Russian National Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection and
a member of the WHO’s International Advisory Committee on “EMF and Health”,
says,
“Our recent 4-year monitoring of effects from cell phone radiation on
children, published in Radiation Biology. Radiation Ecology (Volume 51, No.5,
2011), demonstrates an increase in phonemic perception disorders, abatement of
efficiency, reduced indicators for the arbitrary and semantic memory and
increased fatigue. Over the four-year monitoring of 196 children ages 7-12 who
were users of mobile communication devices, a steady decline in these
parameters from high values to bottom standards compared to controls, was
observed. The short-term and long-term potential consequences for society
from exposing children to microwave radiation from cellular communication
devices must be immediately acknowledged, globally, and responsibly addressed.”
A
history of exposure standard setting in the telecommunications industry, The Procrustean
Approach , by Don Maisch, PhD of EMF Facts in Australia,
describes ‘the manipulation of telecommunications standards by political,
military, and industrial vested interests at the expense of public health
protection.’
The Seletun
Scientific Statement, a statement by international scientists in
February 2011 (watch
video), called for reduction EMF exposures globally to reflect
the known biological effects at radiation exposures far lower than
international guidelines in order to protect the public health and the health
of future generations.
The recent Fragopoulou et al. research adds to the
body of science demonstrating we are changing and disregulating biological
functioning in the brain with the unchecked proliferation of RF electromagnetic
fields from telecommunication and utility technologies. These effects are occurring
at exposures below safety guidelines and the safety guidelines urgently need to
be changed to protect public health.
_________________________________________________________
PRESS RELEASE RELEASED BY UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS TEAM
Athens,
Greece. January 21, 2012. The research group of Professor Lukas Margaritis
(Faculty of Biology, University of Athens and the Biomedical Research
Foundation of the Academy of Athens), within the framework of the activities
seeking for the truth underlining the possible effects of daily life
electromagnetic fields, has performed this study as part of the Doctorate
Dissertation of Adamantia F. Fragopoulou.
Using ordinary working conditions of
mobile phone and wireless DECT base and by applying state of the art proteome
science approaches, they demonstrated that a large number of major brain
proteins have been changed. Namely proteins that are responsible for the
integrity of brain functions, in such critical regions like hippocampus,
cerebellum and frontal lobe are below normal levels whereas an equally large
number are found well above physiological levels. These “underexpressed” or
“overexpressed” proteins may play a role in the short term or long term effects
reported as a consequence of mobile phone exposure, including memory deficits,
headaches, sleep disorders, brain tumors.
As pointed out in the “DISCUSSION”
section of the paper, the possible start-up events may involve the production
of ROS (reactive oxygen species) leading to oxidative damage (as suggested
recently by Blank and Goodman of Columbia University in New York City); heat
shock protein activation; and finally, changing the expression of a large
number of brain proteins, as was demonstrated in this study.
The Fragopoulou
et al. study is the first large-scale analysis of the mouse brain proteome to
be published so far. The research team having recently been awarded a large
“Thalis” grant is potentially aiming in elucidating the EMF effects from the
molecular level up to the organism level, exploiting the most suitable model
systems (mice, insects, nematodes, lizards, cell cultures, human skin).
Published
in Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, Early Online: 1–25, 2012
Copyright Q Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.
Abstract:
Brain
proteome response following whole body exposure of mice to mobile phone or
wireless DECT base radiation
Adamantia F. Fragopoulou1, Athina Samara2,
Marianna H. Antonelou1, Anta
Xanthopoulou3,
Aggeliki Papadopoulou3,
Konstantinos Vougas3,
Eugenia Koutsogiannopoulou2, Ema
Anastasiadou2,
Dimitrios J. Stravopodis1, George
Th. Tsangaris3 &
Lukas H. Margaritis1
1
Department of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Athens
University, Athens, Greece, 2Genetics
and Gene Therapy Division, Center of Basic Research II, Biomedical Research Foundation
of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece, and 3Proteomics Research Unit, Center of Basic Research II,
Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
The
objective of this study was to investigate the effects of two sources of
electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on the proteome of cerebellum, hippocampus, and
frontal lobe in Balb/c mice following long-term whole body irradiation. Three
equally divided groups of animals (6 animals/group) were used; the first group
was exposed to a typical mobile phone, at a SAR level range of 0.17– 0.37 W/kg
for 3 h daily for 8 months, the second group was exposed to a wireless DECT
base (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications/Telephone) at a SAR level
range of 0.012– 0.028 W/kg for 8 h/day also for 8 months and the third group
comprised the sham-exposed animals. Comparative proteomics analysis revealed
that long-term irradiation from both EMF sources altered significantly (p ,
0.05) the expression of 143 proteins in total (as low as 0.003 fold
downregulation up to 114 fold overexpression). Several neural function related
proteins (i.e., Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), Alpha-synuclein, Glia
Maturation Factor beta (GMF), and apolipoprotein E (apoE)), heat shock
proteins, and cytoskeletal proteins (i.e., Neurofilaments and tropomodulin) are
included in this list as well as proteins of the brain metabolism (i.e.,
Aspartate aminotransferase, Glutamate dehydrogenase) to nearly all brain
regions studied. Western blot analysis on selected proteins confirmed the
proteomics data. The observed protein expression changes may be related to
brain plasticity alterations, indicative of oxidative stress in the nervous
system or involved in apoptosis and might potentially explain human health
hazards reported so far, such as headaches, sleep disturbance, fatigue, memory
deficits, and brain tumor long-term induction under similar exposure
conditions..
Media may request a copy of the study from Adamantia Fragopoulou,
Lukas Margaritis, Corresponding Authors, at madofrag@biol.uoa.gr,
lmargar@biol.uoa.gr
Electromagnetic
Biology Lab
Dept of Cell Biology and Biophysics
University of Athens
http://kyttariki.biol.uoa.gr/EMR_GROUP_GR.htm (greek
version)
http://kyttariki.biol.uoa.gr/emr_group.htm
(english version)
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