Electromagnetic Field Treatment Protects Against and Reverses Cognitive Impairment in Alzheimer's Disease Mice

Abstract

Despite numerous studies, there is no definitive evidence that high-frequency electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure is a risk to human health. To the contrary, this report presents the first evidence that long-term EMF exposure directly associated with cell phone use (918 MHz; 0.25 w/kg) provides cognitive benefits. Both cognitive-protective and cognitive-enhancing effects of EMF exposure were discovered for both normal mice and transgenic mice destined to develop Alzheimer's-like cognitive impairment. The cognitive interference task utilized in this study was designed from, and measure-for-measure analogous to, a human cognitive interference task. In Alzheimer's disease mice, long-term EMF exposure reduced brain amyloid-beta (Abeta) deposition through Abeta anti-aggregation actions and increased brain temperature during exposure periods. Several inter-related mechanisms of EMF action are proposed, including increased Abeta clearance from the brains of Alzheimer's disease mice, increased neuronal activity, and increased cerebral blood flow. Although caution should be taken in extrapolating these mouse studies to humans, we conclude that EMF exposure may represent a non-invasive, non-pharmacologic therapeutic against Alzheimer's disease and an effective memory-enhancing approach in general.

1950 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields do not aggravate memory deficits in 5xFAD mice

“…Intriguingly, a positive effect of RF‐EMF was reported in an AD mouse model. Previous studies have demonstrated that long‐term RF‐EMF exposure may have beneficial effects on cognitive deficits of AD transgenic mice [Arendash et al, 2010; Jeong et al, 2015], and this effect might be related to reduced Aβ deposition. Therefore, we used the 5xFAD transgenic mouse model, which shows AD‐like pathology, such as early Aβ plaque formation in brain parenchyma and behavioral deficits [Oakley et al, 2006].…”

“…We observed no effects of RF‐EMF on behavioral function and APP processing, including Aβ deposition, in 5xFAD mice. However, long‐term RF‐EMF exposure (918 MHz for 8 months) protected against cognitive impairment, which was demonstrated by radial arm water maze and cognitive interference task reported in transgenic APPsw mice [Arendash et al, 2010]. In addition, 8 months exposure to 1950 MHz RF‐EMF has been reported to significantly improve Y‐maze and passive avoidance performance in 5xFAD mice [Jeong et al, 2015].…”

“…APP cleavage can cause accumulation of amyloid deposits, and accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain parenchyma might be a possible mechanism for cognitive impairment in AD. A previous immunostaining study demonstrated that Aβ deposits in both the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex were significantly lower when Tg mice were exposed to RF‐EMF for 8.5 months [Arendash et al, 2010]. In addition, after 8 months of RF‐EMF exposure, Aβ deposition in the hippocampus and cortex was significantly down‐regulated in exposed Tg mice compared with control Tg mice, consistent with the observation of a beneficial effect on memory function [Jeong et al, 2015].…”

“…Thus, there is some controversy regarding the effects of RF‐EMF on cognitive functions and associated hippocampal functions, and further mechanistic investigations and time‐point analyses are needed. In addition, because most of the positive effects of RF‐EMF exposure were observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD) animal models [Arendash et al, 2010; Dragicevic et al, 2011; Arendash, 2012; Banaceur et al, 2013], suggesting that RF‐EMF may have a positive effect on AD pathology, biological effects of RF‐EMF on the function of the AD brain should be further investigated.…”

“…Because these mice exhibit Aβ pathology relatively early, they are very useful for studying AD‐like pathology, including memory and learning deficits. Previously, Aβ deposition and APP and carboxyl‐terminal fragment β (CTFβ) levels were found to be reduced in the hippocampus and cortex when 5xFAD transgenic mice were exposed to RF‐EMF for 8 or 8.5 months, indicating that long‐term RF‐EMF exposure might ameliorate AD‐like pathology [Arendash et al, 2010; Jeong et al, 2015]. In addition, it has been previously suggested that beneficial effects of RF‐EMF apparently occurred through anti‐aggregation effects on brain Aβ, mitochondrial enhancement, and enhanced neuronal activity in AD transgenic mice [Arendash, 2012].…”