Short-term effects of GSM mobiles phones on spectral components of the human electroencephalogram.

Conference proceedings : ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual Conference · 2006 · Mixed · Very low evidence

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MixedVery low evidencePaper 3464

Study snapshot

PublicationConference proceedings : ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual Conference · 2006

Study typeother

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate whether the GSM (global system for mobile) signals affect the electrical activity of the human brain. Nine healthy subjects and six temporal epileptic patients were exposed to radiofrequencies emitted by a GSM mobile phone signals. Electroencephalographic (EEG) signals were recorded using surface electrodes with and without radiofrequency. In order to obtain a reference, a control session was also carried out. The spectral attributes of the EEG signals recorded by surface electrodes were analyzed. The significant decrease of spectral correlation coefficients under radiofrequency influence showed that the GSM signal altered the spectral arrangement of the EEG activity for healthy subjects as well as epileptic patients. For the healthy subjects, the EEG spectral energy decreased on the studied frequency band [0-40 Hz] and more precisely on occipital electrodes for the alpha-band. For the epileptic patients, these modifications were demonstrated by an increase of the power spectral density of the EEG signal. Nevertheless, these biological effects on the EEG are not sufficient to put forward some electrophysiological hypothesis.

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 typeother

Effect directionmixed

PopulationNine healthy subjects and six temporal epileptic patients

Sample size15

ExposureRF · short-term (during EEG recording; exact duration not stated)

Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: unknown

Main findings

EEG recorded with versus without GSM mobile phone radiofrequency exposure showed a significant decrease in spectral correlation coefficients, interpreted as altered spectral arrangement of EEG activity in both healthy subjects and temporal epileptic patients. In healthy subjects, EEG spectral energy decreased over 0–40 Hz, particularly alpha-band on occipital electrodes; in epileptic patients, changes were described as an increase in EEG power spectral density. The authors state these effects were not sufficient to propose an electrophysiological hypothesis.

Outcomes measured

EEG spectral correlation coefficients
EEG spectral energy (0–40 Hz)
Alpha-band activity (occipital electrodes)
Power spectral density (EEG)

Limitations

Very small sample size (9 healthy, 6 patients)
Exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, SAR, duration) not reported in the abstract
Authors note effects are not sufficient to support an electrophysiological hypothesis

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "short-term (during EEG recording; exact duration not stated)"
  },
  "population": "Nine healthy subjects and six temporal epileptic patients",
  "sample_size": 15,
  "outcomes": [
    "EEG spectral correlation coefficients",
    "EEG spectral energy (0–40 Hz)",
    "Alpha-band activity (occipital electrodes)",
    "Power spectral density (EEG)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "EEG recorded with versus without GSM mobile phone radiofrequency exposure showed a significant decrease in spectral correlation coefficients, interpreted as altered spectral arrangement of EEG activity in both healthy subjects and temporal epileptic patients. In healthy subjects, EEG spectral energy decreased over 0–40 Hz, particularly alpha-band on occipital electrodes; in epileptic patients, changes were described as an increase in EEG power spectral density. The authors state these effects were not sufficient to propose an electrophysiological hypothesis.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Very small sample size (9 healthy, 6 patients)",
    "Exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, SAR, duration) not reported in the abstract",
    "Authors note effects are not sufficient to support an electrophysiological hypothesis"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "unknown",
  "keywords": [
    "GSM",
    "mobile phone",
    "radiofrequency",
    "EEG",
    "spectral analysis",
    "alpha band",
    "epilepsy"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones-rf",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Exposure is radiofrequencies emitted by a GSM mobile phone and EEG outcomes were assessed."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1109/iembs.2006.259283
PubMed: 17946579

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