Acute exposure to CW or GSM-modulated 900 MHz radiofrequency does not affect Ba2+ currents through voltage-gated calcium channels in rat cortical neurons

Aim. The recent increase in the use of cellular phones has raised public concern about health risk associated with brain exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs). Aim of the present study was to verify if acute exposure to either continuous wave (CW) or GSM-modulated 900 MHz RF-EMF could affect the permeability of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC) in neurons. Methods. Primary cultures of rat cortical neurons were exposed for periods of 90 s to either CW (2 or 4 W/kg) or GSM-modulated (2 W/kg) 900 MHz RF-EMF during whole-cell patch-clamp recording of Ba2+ currents (IBa2+) through VGCC. Results. Single or multiple (two-three) acute (90 s) exposure to either CW or GSM-modulated 900 MHz RF-EMF did not significantly alter the current amplitude or the current-voltage relationship of IBa2+ through VGCC. Conclusions. The permeability of VGCC in the tested neurons was not affected by acute exposure to either CW or GSM-modulated 900 MHz RF-EMF. Possible interactions with other mechanisms involved in the control of [Ca2+]i can not be ruled out by the present study.