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Brain & Nervous System116 citations

Effect of 902 MHz mobile phone transmission on cognitive function in children.

No Effects Found

Preece AW, Goodfellow S, Wright MG, Butler SR, Dunn EJ, Johnson Y, Manktelow TC, Wesnes K. · 2005

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This small study found no significant cognitive effects from cell phone radiation in children, but used lower power levels than previous research showing effects.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers tested whether cell phone radiation at 902 MHz affects thinking and reaction time in 18 children ages 10-12. While children showed slightly faster reaction times during phone exposure compared to no exposure, the differences were not statistically significant. The study failed to replicate earlier findings in adults, possibly because it used a weaker GSM phone rather than the more powerful analog phone used in previous research.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 902 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 902 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

The study examined exposure from: 902 MHz

Study Details

We examine whether a standard mobile exposure at 902 MHz has a significant effect on cognitive function in 18 children 10-12 years of age.

These were in a single group in which each child was given a single training session and then three ...

The results of testing showed that the baseline (0 W) performance for the reaction time measurements...

Therefore, we conclude that this study on 18 children did not replicate our earlier finding in adults that exposure to microwave radiation was associated with a reduction in reaction time. It should be noted that the present study investigated the effects of radiation from a GSM handset, whereas in our previous study the effect on reaction time was observed only with a more powerful analogue handset.

Cite This Study
Preece AW, Goodfellow S, Wright MG, Butler SR, Dunn EJ, Johnson Y, Manktelow TC, Wesnes K. (2005). Effect of 902 MHz mobile phone transmission on cognitive function in children. Bioelectromagnetics.Suppl 7:S138-43, 2005.
Show BibTeX
@article{aw_2005_effect_of_902_mhz_3313,
  author = {Preece AW and Goodfellow S and Wright MG and Butler SR and Dunn EJ and Johnson Y and Manktelow TC and Wesnes K.},
  title = {Effect of 902 MHz mobile phone transmission on cognitive function in children.},
  year = {2005},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15931678/},
}
PubMed: 15931678

Cited By (116 papers)

View all 116 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

A 2005 study testing 902 MHz cell phone radiation on 18 children ages 10-12 found no significant effects on cognitive function or reaction time. While children showed slightly faster reactions during phone exposure, these differences weren't statistically meaningful.
Research on children exposed to 902 MHz mobile phone radiation actually showed a tendency toward faster reaction times, not slower ones. However, these improvements weren't statistically significant, meaning they could be due to chance rather than radiation exposure.
A controlled study found no significant harmful effects of GSM phone radiation on children's brain function. The 902 MHz radiation tested didn't impair cognitive performance or reaction times in 18 children during controlled laboratory conditions.
Based on testing with children, 902 MHz radiation showed no significant cognitive risks. The study found slight improvements in reaction time during exposure, but these changes weren't large enough to be considered statistically meaningful or concerning.
Cell phone exposure at 902 MHz didn't negatively impact children's mental performance in laboratory testing. Researchers found no significant changes in cognitive function, suggesting this frequency doesn't impair thinking abilities in the short term.