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A study published in the International Journal of Radiation Biology in January 2026 investigated the effects of 3.5 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure on cultured mouse sensory neurons. This frequency overlaps with bands used by 5G networks, although the researchers used a GSM-like pulsed signal rather than an actual 5G signal.
Key findings:
- Increased oxidative stress: Exposure significantly increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), molecules that can damage cells when they accumulate excessively.
- Reduced cell viability: Neuron survival decreased over time, with the strongest effects observed after 12–24 hours of exposure.
- Activation of cell death pathways: The researchers observed changes in proteins associated with mitochondrial damage and programmed cell death (apoptosis), including increased Bax and caspase-3, decreased Bcl-2 and the release of cytochrome c.
- Changes in nerve-cell signalling: Increased p75NTR expression suggested that exposure may also affect signalling pathways involved in neuronal survival and stress responses.
- Effects occurred without significant heating: The temperature difference between exposed and control groups remained below 0.1°C, suggesting that the observed effects were not explained by substantial heating.
Important limitations: The experiment was conducted on cultured mouse sensory neurons in a laboratory, not on living animals or humans. The exposure conditions also do not necessarily represent typical everyday exposure to 5G devices or networks. Therefore, the findings do not establish that normal 5G exposure causes nerve damage in people.
Conclusion: The study provides experimental evidence that prolonged exposure to a specific, non-thermal 3.5 GHz RF signal can trigger oxidative stress and cell-death mechanisms in cultured mouse sensory neurons. Further research, particularly in living organisms and humans, is needed to determine whether these effects occur under real-world exposure conditions and whether they have meaningful long-term health consequences.
Source: Bektas, H., Seker, A., Ustun, R. & Dogu, S. (2026). Neurotoxic effects of 3.5 GHz GSM-like RF exposure on cultured DRG neurons: a mechanistic insight into oxidative and apoptotic pathways. International Journal of Radiation Biology, 102(4), 421–434. https://doi.org/10.1080/09553002.2026.2617592
