Mouse study links microwave exposure to hippocampal astrocyte changes

A mouse study in Cells used single-cell RNA sequencing to examine hippocampal tissue after microwave exposure. The authors report working-memory deficits together with shifts in astrocyte subpopulations, more reactive astrocyte states and altered astrocyte-centered cell communication.

"In this study, microwave-exposed mice exhibited significantly impaired performance in the Go/No-go, Y-maze, and novel object recognition tests at 6 h and 7 days post-exposure, indicating deficits in hippocampus-dependent working memory."

— Chenxu Chang et al.

"Taken together, these findings indicate that microwave exposure is associated with hippocampus-dependent working memory deficits accompanied by transcriptional remodeling of astrocyte subpopulation composition, directional astrocyte state transitions toward reactive phenotypes, and broad alterations in astrocyte-centered intercellular communication, providing a cellular and molecular framework for understanding astrocyte involvement in microwave radiation-associated hippocampal dysfunction."

— Chenxu Chang et al.

"Briefly, the microwave source with a central frequency of 2856 MHz was placed in an electromagnetic shield chamber (GuoruiZhaofu Electronic, Wuhu, China).[...] MR was applied for 15 min an average power density of 8 mW/cm2, a repetition frequency of 80 Hz, and a duty cycle of 4%."

— Chenxu Chang et al.

📄 Underlying Research

Microwave Radiation Remodels Hippocampal Astrocytes Subpopulations and Intercellular Communication at Single-Cell Resolution.

Chenxu Chang et al. (2026) Cells Journal Level 0ⓘ

🔗 DOI 📚 PubMed

📰 Mouse study links microwave exposure to hippocampal astrocyte changes

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📄 Underlying Research

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