Expression of the immediate early gene, c-fos, in mouse brain after acute global system for mobile communication microwave exposure

AimsTo study the effect of acute exposure to global system for mobile communication radiofrequency fields on immediate early gene, c-fos, expression in the brain.MethodsUsing a purpose-designed exposure system at 900 MHz, mice were given a single, far-field, whole body exposure for 60 minutes at a specific absorption rate of 4 W/kg. Control mice were sham-exposed or freely mobile in a cage without further restraint. c-fos protein expression was detected immunohistochemically in perfusion-fixed brains.ResultsActivation of c-fos in exposed and sham-exposed brains was comparable, but was greatly increased compared with freely moving controls.ConclusionThese results suggest that the majority of the acute genomic response detected by c-fos expression was due to immobilisation rather than irradiation