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Brain & Nervous System135 citations

Effects of electromagnetic fields emitted by cellular phones on the electroencephalogram during a visual working memory task.

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Krause CM, Sillanmaki L, Koivisto M, Haggqvist A, Saarela C, Revonsuo A, Laine M, Hamalainen H, · 2000

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Cell phone radiation altered brainwave patterns during memory tasks, showing direct interference with brain electrical activity during thinking.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Finnish researchers tested how cell phone radiation affects brain activity during memory tasks by measuring brainwaves in 24 people while they performed visual memory exercises. They found that 902 MHz cell phone radiation altered specific brainwave patterns (around 8 Hz frequency) during cognitive processing, but only under certain memory load conditions. This suggests that cell phone radiation can directly interfere with the brain's electrical activity while you're thinking and remembering.

Why This Matters

This study provides compelling evidence that cell phone radiation doesn't just heat tissue - it actively interferes with your brain's electrical processes during cognitive tasks. The researchers used 902 MHz radiation, which falls within the frequency range of older GSM phones and is still used in some modern cell networks. What makes this research particularly significant is that it demonstrates EMF effects on brain function during actual cognitive processing, not just at rest. The findings align with a growing body of research showing that EMF exposure can alter brainwave patterns, which may help explain why some people report concentration difficulties, memory problems, or mental fatigue after prolonged phone use. While the study doesn't specify exact exposure levels, the fact that measurable changes occurred during a controlled laboratory setting suggests your brain's electrical activity is more sensitive to EMF than previously understood.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 6 Hz - 902 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 6 Hz - 902 MHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 4-6 Hz, 6-8 Hz, 8-10 Hz and 10-12 Hz, and 902 MHz

Study Details

To examine the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted by cellular phones on the event-related desynchronization/synchronization (ERD/ERS) responses of the 4-6, 6-8, 8-10 and 10-12Hz EEG frequency bands during cognitive processing.

Twenty-four subjects performed a visual sequential letter task (n-back task) with three different wo...

The presence of EMF altered the ERD/ERS responses in the 6-8 and 8-10 Hz frequency bands but only wh...

The results suggest that the exposure to EMF modulates the responses of EEG oscillatory activity approximately 8 Hz specifically during cognitive processes.

Cite This Study
Krause CM, Sillanmaki L, Koivisto M, Haggqvist A, Saarela C, Revonsuo A, Laine M, Hamalainen H, (2000). Effects of electromagnetic fields emitted by cellular phones on the electroencephalogram during a visual working memory task. Int J Radiat Biol 76(12):1659-1667, 2000.
Show BibTeX
@article{cm_2000_effects_of_electromagnetic_fields_2309,
  author = {Krause CM and Sillanmaki L and Koivisto M and Haggqvist A and Saarela C and Revonsuo A and Laine M and Hamalainen H and},
  title = {Effects of electromagnetic fields emitted by cellular phones on the electroencephalogram during a visual working memory task.},
  year = {2000},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11133048/},
}
PubMed: 11133048

Cited By (135 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, Finnish researchers found that 902 MHz cell phone radiation altered specific brainwave patterns around 8 Hz frequency during visual memory exercises. The study of 24 people showed radiation directly interfered with brain electrical activity, but only under certain memory load conditions.
Research demonstrates that cell phone radiation specifically modulates brain oscillatory activity at approximately 8 Hz during cognitive processes. The 2000 Finnish study found 902 MHz radiation altered brainwave responses in the 6-8 and 8-10 Hz frequency bands during memory tasks.
Cell phone radiation can interfere with visual working memory processing by altering brainwave patterns. Finnish researchers found that 902 MHz EMF changed specific brain electrical responses during visual memory exercises, suggesting direct interference with cognitive function during thinking tasks.
The 902 MHz radiation altered EEG oscillatory responses in specific frequency bands (6-8 and 8-10 Hz) during cognitive processing. Finnish researchers found these brainwave changes occurred only when examined as a function of memory load and stimulus type.
Yes, cell phone radiation can modify brain electrical activity during cognitive processes. The Finnish study found 902 MHz radiation specifically altered brainwave responses around 8 Hz frequency during visual memory tasks, demonstrating direct interference with brain function while thinking.