Abstract
Anecdotal and clinical reports have suggested that radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMFs) may serve as a trigger for neuropathic pain. However, these reports have been widely disregarded, as the epidemiological effects of electromagnetic fields have not been systematically proven, and are highly controversial. Here, we demonstrate that anthropogenic RF EMFs elicit post-neurotomy pain in a tibial neuroma transposition model. Behavioral assays indicate a persistent and significant pain response to RF EMFs when compared to SHAM surgery groups. Laser thermometry revealed a transient skin temperature increase during stimulation. Furthermore, immunofluorescence revealed an increased expression of temperature sensitive cation channels (TRPV4) in the neuroma bulb, suggesting that RF EMF-induced pain may be due to cytokine-mediated channel dysregulation and hypersensitization, leading to thermal allodynia. Additional behavioral assays were performed using an infrared heating lamp in place of the RF stimulus. While thermally-induced pain responses were observed, the response frequency and progression did not recapitulate the RF EMF effects. In vitro calcium imaging experiments demonstrated that our RF EMF stimulus is sufficient to directly contribute to the depolarization of dissociated sensory neurons. Furthermore, the perfusion of inflammatory cytokine TNF-α resulted in a significantly higher percentage of active sensory neurons during RF EMF stimulation. These results substantiate patient reports of RF EMF-pain, in the case of peripheral nerve injury, while confirming the public and scientific consensus that anthropogenic RF EMFs engender no adverse sensory effects in the general population.
Highlights
Anthropogenic electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have become a ubiquitous presence in modern life
The mean response score for the TNT group differed significantly from the SHAM group beginning on postoperative week 3 (p = 0.049) and persisting on week 4 (p = 0.006). These results demonstrate for the first time that anthropogenic-strength radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMFs) are sufficient to trigger post-neurotomy pain in a behaving animal model
Our animal study supports anecdotal reports indicating that RF EMFs serve as a trigger for post-neurotomy pain
Summary
Anthropogenic electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have become a ubiquitous presence in modern life. While we have all undoubtedly benefited from the wide-ranging applications of commercial electronics, there is a growing social and scientific concern that persistent exposure to radio- and microwave-frequency (RF/MWF) EMFs may engender unforeseen adverse health effects in vulnerable subsets of our population. Over the past thirty years, there have been numerous reports published on the epidemiological, animal, and cellular-level effects of RF EMF exposure [1,2,3], with the majority of these studies being conducted in vitro and focused on evaluating the potential relationship between cell phone usage and the incidence of certain types of cancer [4,5,6]. There have been anecdotal, case, and clinical reports that magnetic and electromagnetic fields of various frequencies may serve as a trigger for neuropathic and post-amputation pain [9,10,11]
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have