Effects of GSM electromagnetic field on the MEG during an encoding-retrieval task.

Neuroreport · 2004 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5227

Exposure to GSM 1800 EMF during the study (encoding) phase changed an early (350–400 ms) task-specific component of the event-related magnetic field, interpreted as interference with item encoding. Behavioral measures were not significantly affected, and the …

Study snapshot

PublicationNeuroreport · 2004

Study typeother

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Potential effects of GSM 1800 electromagnetic fields (EMF) on verbal memory encoding were investigated by recording event-related magnetic fields (ERMF) from the brain during subsequent memory retrieval. Twelve normal subjects participated in the study. After encoding words from a study list presented in the first phase they had to discriminate old from new words mixed together in a test list presented during the second phase. All subjects performed two experimental sessions, one with exposure to EMF during the study phase, and one without. Exposure to EMF changed an early (350-400 ms) task-specific component of the ERMF indicating an interference of EMF and item encoding. Behavioural measures were not significantly affected. Adverse health effects cannot be derived from these data.

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

PopulationTwelve normal subjects

Sample size12

ExposureRF · 1800 MHz

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Event-related magnetic fields (MEG/ERMF) during encoding-retrieval task
Verbal memory performance (old/new word discrimination)

Limitations

Small sample size (n=12)
No exposure metric reported (e.g., SAR)
Duration of exposure not specified in abstract
Behavioral outcomes showed no significant effect despite MEG/ERMF changes

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 1800,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Twelve normal subjects",
  "sample_size": 12,
  "outcomes": [
    "Event-related magnetic fields (MEG/ERMF) during encoding-retrieval task",
    "Verbal memory performance (old/new word discrimination)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Exposure to GSM 1800 EMF during the study (encoding) phase changed an early (350–400 ms) task-specific component of the event-related magnetic field, interpreted as interference with item encoding. Behavioral measures were not significantly affected, and the authors state adverse health effects cannot be derived from these data.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Small sample size (n=12)",
    "No exposure metric reported (e.g., SAR)",
    "Duration of exposure not specified in abstract",
    "Behavioral outcomes showed no significant effect despite MEG/ERMF changes"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "GSM",
    "1800 MHz",
    "RF EMF",
    "MEG",
    "event-related magnetic fields",
    "encoding",
    "retrieval",
    "verbal memory"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study tests GSM 1800 EMF exposure during a memory task, consistent with mobile phone RF exposure research."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1097/00001756-200405190-00022
PubMed: 15129172

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