A Study of RFR Effects on the Brain Neurochemistry during Pre- and Postnatal Brain Development

Background: The research was designed to model animals which mimic the exposure to the radiofrequency radiation [RFR] by habitual users of RFR-enabled devices and to observe possible aberrations in behaviours that are attributable to exposures. The research was designed to model cases of continuous, and intermittent exposures in human conditions, using Wistar rats. The primary objective of this study was to study intrauterine and postnatal exposure and study the effects brain structures, functions and behaviours in Wistar rats.

Materials and Methods: The experiment started with 42 pregnant rats that were exposed to RFR [4G] to observe the possibilities of RFR-induced teratogenic effects. Thereafter, half of the offspring were sacrificed for their brains to be studied at birth. The other half were exposed to RFR to observe postnatal effects of RFR radiation until puberty. The exposure regimen was the same for the mothers and the offspring in each group. What varied was he duration of exposure per day being 6 hours, 24 hours and 24 hours. Experimental Wistar rats were housed in facilities that enable exposure to specific dose (4G) of radiations during pregnancy (~21 days) of and during post-natal days until day 35, marking approximately the point of puberty. Following the dissection of the rat, brain tissue samples were homogenized in buffered phosphate saline [PBS]. The homogenates were centrifuged, and the supernatant was assayed for each neurotransmitter of interest. The values from each sample were recorded for the sample. The mean values for samples that constituted a group was calculated and statistically analyzed. ELISA biochemical assay kits were used.

Results and Conclusion: RFR-exposure caused changes in neurotransmitters and enzyme neurochemistry. Cytochrome C oxidase enzyme and neurotransmitters especially dopamine, gamma-amino butyric acid , glutamine and serotonin and their activities levels were significantly altered especially with prolonged duration in RFR exposure. These findings would altogether suggest that radiofrequency radiation exposure might change brain neurochemistry permanently following exposure either during the intrauterine or the postnatal stage of life. The implications of these changes on later life mental health and neurological attributes will require further investigation