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Chacko TP, Toole JT, Morris MC, Page J, Forsten RD, Barrett JP, Reinhard MJ, Brewster RC, Costanzo ME, Broderick G. A regulatory pathway model of neuropsychological disruption in Havana syndrome. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1180929. [PMID: 37965360 PMCID: PMC10642174 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1180929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction In 2016 diplomatic personnel serving in Havana, Cuba, began reporting audible sensory phenomena paired with onset of complex and persistent neurological symptoms consistent with brain injury. The etiology of these Anomalous Health Incidents (AHI) and subsequent symptoms remains unknown. This report investigates putative exposure-symptom pathology by assembling a network model of published bio-behavioral pathways and assessing how dysregulation of such pathways might explain loss of function in these subjects using data available in the published literature. Given similarities in presentation with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), we used the latter as a clinically relevant means of evaluating if the neuropsychological profiles observed in Havana Syndrome Havana Syndrome might be explained at least in part by a dysregulation of neurotransmission, neuro-inflammation, or both. Method Automated text-mining of >9,000 publications produced a network consisting of 273 documented regulatory interactions linking 29 neuro-chemical markers with 9 neuropsychological constructs from the Brief Mood Survey, PTSD Checklist, and the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale. Analysis of information flow through this network produced a set of regulatory rules reconciling to within a 6% departure known mechanistic pathways with neuropsychological profiles in N = 6 subjects. Results Predicted expression of neuro-chemical markers that jointly satisfy documented pathways and observed symptom profiles display characteristically elevated IL-1B, IL-10, NGF, and norepinephrine levels in the context of depressed BDNF, GDNF, IGF1, and glutamate expression (FDR < 5%). Elevations in CRH and IL-6 were also predicted unanimously across all subjects. Furthermore, simulations of neurological regulatory dynamics reveal subjects do not appear to be "locked in" persistent illness but rather appear to be engaged in a slow recovery trajectory. Discussion This computational analysis of measured neuropsychological symptoms in Havana-based diplomats proposes that these AHI symptoms may be supported in part by disruption of known neuroimmune and neurotransmission regulatory mechanisms also associated with mTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas P. Chacko
- Center for Clinical Systems Biology, Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - J. Tory Toole
- Center for Clinical Systems Biology, Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Matthew C. Morris
- Center for Clinical Systems Biology, Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Jeffrey Page
- Center for Clinical Systems Biology, Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Robert D. Forsten
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC), Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC, United States
| | - John P. Barrett
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC), Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC, United States
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Matthew J. Reinhard
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC), Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC, United States
- Complex Exposures Threats Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Ryan C. Brewster
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC), Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Michelle E. Costanzo
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC), Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC, United States
- Complex Exposures Threats Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC, United States
- Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Gordon Broderick
- Center for Clinical Systems Biology, Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, NY, United States
- Complex Exposures Threats Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC, United States
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Hu C, Zuo H, Li Y. Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation on Neurotransmitters in the Brain. Front Public Health 2021; 9:691880. [PMID: 34485223 PMCID: PMC8415840 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.691880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
With the rapid development of electronic information in the past 30 years, technical achievements based on electromagnetism have been widely used in various fields pertaining to human production and life. Consequently, electromagnetic radiation (EMR) has become a substantial new pollution source in modern civilization. The biological effects of EMR have attracted considerable attention worldwide. The possible interaction of EMR with human organs, especially the brain, is currently where the most attention is focused. Many studies have shown that the nervous system is an important target organ system sensitive to EMR. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have focused on the neurobiological effects of EMR, including the metabolism and transport of neurotransmitters. As messengers of synaptic transmission, neurotransmitters play critical roles in cognitive and emotional behavior. Here, the effects of EMR on the metabolism and receptors of neurotransmitters in the brain are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuicui Hu
- Anhui Medical University, Academy of Life Sciences, Hefei, China.,Department of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyan Zuo
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Li
- Anhui Medical University, Academy of Life Sciences, Hefei, China.,Department of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
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Wang Y, Zhang H, Zhang Z, Sun B, Tang C, Zhang L, Jiang Z, Ding B, Liao Y, Cai P. Simulated mobile communication frequencies (3.5 GHz) emitted by a signal generator affects the sleep of Drosophila melanogaster. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 283:117087. [PMID: 33894629 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
With the rapid development of science and technology, 5G technology will be widely used, and biosafety concerns about the effects of 5G radiofrequency radiation on health have been raised. Drosophila melanogaster was selected as the model organism for our study, in which a 3.5 GHz radiofrequency radiation (RF-EMR) environment was simulated at intensities of 0.1 W/m2, 1 W/m2, and 10 W/m2. The activity of parent male and offspring (F1) male flies was measured using a Drosophila activity monitoring system under short-term and long-term 3.5 GHz RF-EMR exposure. Core genes associated with heat stress, the circadian clock and neurotransmitters were detected by QRT-PCR technology, and the contents of GABA and glutamate were detected by UPLC-MS. The results show that short-term RF-EMR exposure increased the activity level and reduced the sleep duration while long-term RF-EMR exposure reduced the activity level and increased the sleep duration of F1 male flies. Under long-term RF-EMR, the expression of heat stress response-related hsp22, hsp26 and hsp70 genes was increased, the expression of circadian clock-related per, cyc, clk, cry, and tim genes was altered, the content of GABA and glutamate was reduced, and the expression levels of synthesis, transport and receptor genes were altered. In conclusion, long-term RF-EMR exposure enhances the heat stress response of offspring flies and then affects the expression of circadian clock and neurotransmitter genes, which leads to decreased activity, prolonged sleep duration, and improved sleep quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China; Xiamen Key Laboratory of Physical Environment, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Hongying Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China; Xiamen Key Laboratory of Physical Environment, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Ziyan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China; Xiamen Key Laboratory of Physical Environment, Xiamen, 361021, China; Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
| | - Boqun Sun
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China; Xiamen Key Laboratory of Physical Environment, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Chao Tang
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China; Xiamen Key Laboratory of Physical Environment, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China; Xiamen Key Laboratory of Physical Environment, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Zhihao Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China; Xiamen Key Laboratory of Physical Environment, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Bo Ding
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China; Xiamen Key Laboratory of Physical Environment, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Yanyan Liao
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China; Xiamen Key Laboratory of Physical Environment, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Peng Cai
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China; Xiamen Key Laboratory of Physical Environment, Xiamen, 361021, China; Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
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Raghu SV, Kudva AK, Rajanikant GK, Baliga MS. Medicinal plants in mitigating electromagnetic radiation-induced neuronal damage: a concise review. Electromagn Biol Med 2021; 41:1-14. [PMID: 34382485 DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2021.1963762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Although the evidence is inconclusive, epidemiological studies strongly suggest that increased exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) increases the risk of brain tumors, parotid gland tumors, and seminoma. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified mobile phone radiofrequency radiation as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). Humans being are inadvertently being exposed to EMR as its prevalence increases, mainly through mobile phones. Radiation exposure is unavoidable in the current context, with mobile phones being an inevitable necessity. Prudent usage of medicinal plants with a long history of mention in traditional and folklore medicine and, more importantly, are safe, inexpensive, and easily acceptable for long-term human use would be an appealing and viable option for mitigating the deleterious effects of EMR. Plants with free radical scavenging, anti-oxidant and immunomodulatory properties are beneficial in maintaining salubrious health. Green tea polyphenols, Ginkgo biloba, lotus seedpod procyanidins, garlic extract, Loranthus longiflorus, Curcuma amada, and Rosmarinus officinalis have all been shown to confer neuroprotective effects in validated experimental models of study. The purpose of this review is to compile for the first time the protective effects of these plants against mobile phone-induced neuronal damage, as well as to highlight the various mechanisms of action that are elicited to invoke the beneficial effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamprasad Varija Raghu
- Neurogenetics Lab, Department of Applied Zoology, Mangalore University, Mangalagangotri, Karnataka, India
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