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

We have studied the non-thermal effects of radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on Ba2+ currents (equation image) 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 equation image, 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 equation image, through VGCC