Acute exposure to low-level CW and GSM-modulated 900 MHz RF does not affect Ba(2+) currents through voltage-gated calcium channels in rat cortical neurons.

Platano D, Mesirca P, Paffi A, Pellegrino M, Liberti M, Apollonio F, Bersani F, Aicardi G

Bioelectromagnetics. Jul 9; 2007

[Epub ahead of print]

We have studied the non-thermal effects of radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on Ba(2+) currents ($I_{{\rm Ba};{2+ } }$) through voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC), recorded in primary cultures of rat cortical neurons using the patch-clamp technique.

To assess whether low-level acute RF field exposure could modify the amplitude and/or the voltage-dependence of $I_{{\rm Ba};{2+ } }$, Petri dishes containing cultured neurons were exposed for 1-3 periods of 90 s to 900 MHz RF-EMF continuous wave (CW) or amplitude-modulated according to global system mobile communication standard (GSM) during whole-cell recording.

The specific absorption rates (SARs) were 2 W/kg for CW and 2 W/kg (time average value) for GSM-modulated signals, respectively.

The results obtained indicate that single or multiple acute exposures to either CW or GSM-modulated 900 MHz RF-EMFs do not significantly alter the current amplitude or the current-voltage relationship of $I_{{\rm Ba};{2+ } }$, through VGCC.