EMF mutations - autism mutations - a leap of faith?

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*Increased Levels of Numerical Chromosome Aberrations after In Vitro

Exposure of Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes to Radiofrequency

Electromagnetic Fields for 72 Hours*

Mazor, R., Korenstein-Ilan, A., Barbul, A., Eshet, Y., Shahadi, A.,

Jerby, E. and Korenstein, R.

Radiat. Res. 169, 28--37 (2008).

http://www.rrjournal.org/perlserv/?request=get-abstract & doi=10.1667%2FRR0872.1 & c\

t=1

We investigated the effects of 72 h in vitro exposure of 10 human

lymphocyte samples to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (800 MHz,

continuous wave) on genomic instability. The lymphyocytes were exposed

in a specially designed waveguide resonator at specific absorption rates

(SARs) of 2.9 and 4.1 W/kg in a temperature range of 36--37°C. The

induced aneuploidy of chromosomes 1, 10, 11 and 17 was determined by

interphase FISH using semi-automated image analysis. We observed

increased levels of aneuploidy depending on the chromosome studied as

well as on the level of exposure. In chromosomes 1 and 10, there was

increased aneuploidy at the higher SAR, while for chromosomes 11 and 17,

the increases were observed only for the lower SAR. Multisomy

(chromosomal gains) appeared to be the primary contributor to the

increased aneuploidy. The effect of temperature on the level of

aneuploidy was examined over the range of 33.5--40°C for 72 h with no

statistically significant difference in the level of aneuploidy compared

to 37°C. These findings suggest the possible existence of an athermal

effect of RF radiation that causes increased levels of aneuploidy. These

results contribute to the assessment of potential health risks after

continuous chronic exposure to RF radiation at SARs close to the current

levels set by ICNIRP guidelines.

Received: November 1, 2006; Accepted: September 4, 2007

DOI: 10.1667/RR0872.1

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2: Science. 2007 Apr 20;316(5823):445-9. Epub 2007 Mar 15.

*Strong association of de novo copy number mutations with autism*.

Sebat J et al.

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY

11724, USA. sebat@...

We tested the hypothesis that de novo copy number variation (CNV) is

associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). We performed

comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) on the genomic DNA of patients

and unaffected subjects to detect copy number variants not present in

their respective parents. Candidate genomic regions were validated by

higher-resolution CGH, paternity testing, cytogenetics, fluorescence in

situ hybridization, and microsatellite genotyping. Confirmed de novo

CNVs were significantly associated with autism (P = 0.0005). Such CNVs

were identified in 12 out of 118 (10%) of patients with sporadic autism,

in 2 out of 77 (3%) of patients with an affected first-degree relative,

and in 2 out of 196 (1%) of controls. Most de novo CNVs were smaller

than microscopic resolution. Affected genomic regions were highly

heterogeneous and included mutations of single genes. These findings

establish de novo germline mutation as a more significant risk factor

for ASD than previously recognized.

Publication Types:

* Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

* Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PMID: 17363630