Acute effects of mobile phone radiation on brain function

2017 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 2275

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2017

Study typereview

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Acute effects of mobile phone radiation on brain function Zhang J, Sumich A, Wang GY. Acute effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic field emitted by mobile phone on brain function. Bioelectromagnetics. 2017 Apr 20. doi: 10.1002/bem.22052. Abstract Due to its attributes, characteristics, and technological resources, the mobile phone (MP) has become one of the most commonly used communication devices. Historically, ample evidence has ruled out the substantial short- term impact of radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) emitted by MP on human cognitive performance. However, more recent evidence suggests potential harmful effects associated with MP EMF exposure. The aim of this review is to readdress the question of whether the effect of MP EMF exposure on brain function should be reopened. We strengthen our argument focusing on recent neuroimaging and electroencephalography studies, in order to present a more specific analysis of effects of MP EMF exposure on neurocognitive function. Several studies indicate an increase in cortical excitability and/or efficiency with EMF exposure, which appears to be more prominent in fronto-temporal regions and has been associated with faster reaction time. Cortical excitability might also underpin disruption to sleep. However, several inconsistent findings exist, and conclusions regarding adverse effects of EMF exposure are currently limited. It also should be noted that the crucial scientific question of the effect of longer-term MP EMF exposure on brain function remains unanswered and essentially unaddressed. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Conclusion While several studies suggest an effect of EMF exposure on brain function, there is little evidence of the harmful nature of these effects, and greater understanding is needed of their functional significance. To date, the crucial scientific question of the effect of longer-term MP EMF exposure on brain function remains unanswered and essentially unaddressed. The potential health effects of MP EMF exposure in children and adolescents have been identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a high priority research area, since they have longer lifetime exposure to MP [van Deventure et al., 2011]. Prior to establishing a clear picture of a cause-effect relationship on MPs, it is safer to minimize the MP use. It has been suggested to reduce the potential harm induced by MPs by restricting call length, or by using hands-free devices [Valentini et al., 2010]. Furthermore, more people have problems with MP use [Billieux et al., 2015], and addictive consumption styles and problematic behavior have been observed. In order to minimize possible negative consequences caused by excessive usage, further research is required to clarify neurophysiological changes associated with long-term MP EMF exposure and the impact of different behavioral characteristics of MP use on cognitive function.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typereview

Effect directionmixed

PopulationHumans (neuroimaging/EEG and cognitive performance studies referenced)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · acute (short-term) exposure discussed; longer-term effects noted as unanswered

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

This review summarizes evidence on acute mobile phone RF-EMF exposure and brain function. Several studies reported increased cortical excitability and/or efficiency (noted as more prominent in fronto-temporal regions) and associations with faster reaction time; cortical excitability was also discussed as potentially underpinning sleep disruption. The authors note inconsistent findings and state that conclusions regarding adverse effects are currently limited, and that longer-term effects remain essentially unaddressed.

Outcomes measured

brain function
neurocognitive function
cognitive performance
cortical excitability
reaction time
sleep disruption
EEG outcomes
neuroimaging outcomes

Limitations

Inconsistent findings across studies
Conclusions regarding adverse effects are currently limited
Longer-term mobile phone RF-EMF effects on brain function remain unanswered/essentially unaddressed

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "acute (short-term) exposure discussed; longer-term effects noted as unanswered"
  },
  "population": "Humans (neuroimaging/EEG and cognitive performance studies referenced)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "brain function",
    "neurocognitive function",
    "cognitive performance",
    "cortical excitability",
    "reaction time",
    "sleep disruption",
    "EEG outcomes",
    "neuroimaging outcomes"
  ],
  "main_findings": "This review summarizes evidence on acute mobile phone RF-EMF exposure and brain function. Several studies reported increased cortical excitability and/or efficiency (noted as more prominent in fronto-temporal regions) and associations with faster reaction time; cortical excitability was also discussed as potentially underpinning sleep disruption. The authors note inconsistent findings and state that conclusions regarding adverse effects are currently limited, and that longer-term effects remain essentially unaddressed.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Inconsistent findings across studies",
    "Conclusions regarding adverse effects are currently limited",
    "Longer-term mobile phone RF-EMF effects on brain function remain unanswered/essentially unaddressed"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "mobile phone",
    "RF-EMF",
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic field",
    "brain function",
    "neurocognitive function",
    "EEG",
    "neuroimaging",
    "cortical excitability",
    "reaction time",
    "sleep"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.35,
      "reason": "Abstract references WHO identifying children/adolescents and mobile phone exposure as a high priority research area."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1002/bem.22052
PubMed: Not supplied

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