8,700 Studies Reviewed. 87.0% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Shield Your Body
Brain & Nervous System158 citations

Is the brain influenced by a phone call? An EEG study of resting wakefulness.

Bioeffects Seen

Curcio G, Ferrara M, Moroni F, D'Inzeo G, Bertini M, De Gennaro L. · 2005

View Original Abstract
Share:

Cell phone radiation at typical power levels measurably alters brain wave patterns during exposure, proving EMF fields directly influence brain function.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Italian researchers used EEG brain scans to measure how cell phone radiation affects brain activity in 20 healthy people during rest. They found that exposure to typical mobile phone signals (902.40 MHz) altered brain wave patterns in the alpha frequency band, with stronger effects when the phone signal was active during brain recording versus before it. This demonstrates that cell phone radiation can measurably change normal brain function, even when you're not actively using the phone.

Why This Matters

This study provides direct evidence that cell phone radiation penetrates the skull and alters brain activity in measurable ways. The researchers used a double-blind design with proper sham controls, lending credibility to their findings that EMF exposure specifically affected alpha brain waves - the same frequencies associated with relaxed wakefulness and cognitive processing. What makes this particularly significant is that the exposure level (0.25 watts) falls within the range of typical cell phone output, meaning these brain changes occur at radiation levels you encounter during normal phone use. The fact that effects were stronger during active exposure versus prior exposure suggests the brain responds in real-time to EMF fields. While the researchers appropriately note they cannot draw conclusions about health effects, the reality is that any technology capable of altering normal brain function warrants serious consideration of potential long-term consequences.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 217 Hz - 902.4 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 217 Hz - 902.4 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: 902.40 MHz, modulated at 217 Hz

Study Details

We recorded the resting electroencephalogram of 20 healthy subjects in order to investigate the effect of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure on EEG waking activity and its temporal development.

The subjects were randomly assigned to two groups and exposed, in double-blind conditions, to a typi...

The results show that, under real exposure as compared to baseline and sham conditions, EEG spectral...

The present data lend further support to the idea that pulsed high-frequency electromagnetic fields can affect normal brain functioning, also if no conclusions can be drawn about the possible health effects.

Cite This Study
Curcio G, Ferrara M, Moroni F, D'Inzeo G, Bertini M, De Gennaro L. (2005). Is the brain influenced by a phone call? An EEG study of resting wakefulness. Neurosci Res. 53(3):265-270, 2005.
Show BibTeX
@article{g_2005_is_the_brain_influenced_2005,
  author = {Curcio G and Ferrara M and Moroni F and D'Inzeo G and Bertini M and De Gennaro L.},
  title = {Is the brain influenced by a phone call? An EEG study of resting wakefulness.},
  year = {2005},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16102863/},
}
PubMed: 16102863

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, Italian researchers found that 902.40 MHz cell phone radiation significantly altered brain wave patterns in the alpha frequency band during rest. The study used EEG scans on 20 healthy people and showed stronger brain wave changes when the phone signal was active during recording versus before it.
Yes, this 2005 EEG study demonstrated that cell phone radiation at 902.40 MHz can measurably change normal brain function even when you're not actively using the phone. Brain wave patterns in the alpha band were altered simply from exposure to typical mobile phone signals during rest.
Research shows that 902.40 MHz radiation modulated at 217 Hz significantly influences EEG spectral power in specific bins of the alpha frequency band. The effect was greater when the electromagnetic field was active during brain recording compared to baseline and sham exposure conditions.
Italian scientists found that 902.40 MHz electromagnetic fields cause measurable changes in brain wave patterns during EEG recording sessions. The study showed altered spectral power in alpha band frequencies, with stronger effects occurring during active EMF exposure versus pre-exposure conditions in healthy adults.
Yes, this 2005 study provides evidence that pulsed high-frequency electromagnetic fields at 902.40 MHz can affect normal brain functioning. Researchers observed significant changes in alpha band brain wave activity during rest, though they noted no conclusions could be drawn about possible health effects.