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Brain & Nervous System

Effects of weak mobile phone - electromagnetic fields (GSM, UMTS) on event related potentials and cognitive functions.

No Effects Found

Kleinlogel H, Dierks T, Koenig T, Lehmann H, Minder A, Berz R · 2008

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This Swiss study found no brain or cognitive effects from cell phone radiation at typical use levels in 15 adults.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Swiss researchers tested whether cell phone radiation from both older GSM and newer UMTS networks affects brain function and cognitive performance in 15 healthy adults. They measured brain wave responses and reaction times during various mental tasks while exposing participants to phone radiation at levels similar to actual phone use (SAR 0.1 and 1 W/kg). The study found no significant changes in any measured brain or cognitive functions compared to fake exposure.

Why This Matters

This study adds to the mixed body of research on EMF and brain function, though its negative findings deserve careful interpretation. The researchers tested both GSM and UMTS signals at SAR levels of 0.1 and 1 W/kg, which fall within the range of typical phone use. However, the study's small sample size of just 15 participants limits its statistical power to detect subtle effects that might exist. The reality is that many studies on EMF and cognitive function show conflicting results, with some finding effects and others finding none. What this means for you is that while this particular study suggests no immediate cognitive impacts from phone radiation, the broader research picture remains unsettled. The science demonstrates we still lack definitive answers about EMF's effects on brain function, particularly with longer-term exposure patterns that better reflect real-world use.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.1 and 1 W/kg
Source/Device
1950 UMTS

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.1 and 1 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 16 times higher than this level

Study Details

To study the effects of weak mobile phone-Electromagnetic fields (GSM, UMTS) on event related potentials and cognitive functions

Until now most studies have investigated Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)-EMF and only ...

Neither the UMTS- nor the GSM-EMF produced any significant changes in the measured parameters compar...

The results do not give any evidence for a deleterious effect of the EMF on normal healthy mobile phone users.

Cite This Study
Kleinlogel H, Dierks T, Koenig T, Lehmann H, Minder A, Berz R (2008). Effects of weak mobile phone - electromagnetic fields (GSM, UMTS) on event related potentials and cognitive functions. Bioelectromagnetics. 29(6):488-497, 2008b.
Show BibTeX
@article{h_2008_effects_of_weak_mobile_2773,
  author = {Kleinlogel H and Dierks T and Koenig T and Lehmann H and Minder A and Berz R},
  title = {Effects of weak mobile phone - electromagnetic fields (GSM, UMTS) on event related potentials and cognitive functions. },
  year = {2008},
  doi = {10.1002/bem.20418},
  url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bem.20418},
}
DOI: 10.1002/bem.20418

Cited By (73 papers)

View all 73 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

Swiss researchers found that UMTS 3G radiation at realistic phone use levels (SAR 0.1-1 W/kg) caused no significant changes in brain wave patterns or cognitive performance in 15 healthy adults, suggesting normal phone use doesn't alter brain electrical activity.
A 2008 study comparing GSM and UMTS phone radiation found neither technology affected reaction times during mental tasks. Both older 2G and newer 3G networks produced identical results with no measurable cognitive performance changes.
Research testing both low (0.1 W/kg) and high (1 W/kg) SAR levels from phone radiation found no differences in brain function or cognitive performance at either exposure level compared to fake exposure conditions.
Scientists measuring event-related potentials (brain responses to stimuli) found no significant changes when participants were exposed to phone radiation at levels matching actual phone use, indicating normal brain processing remains unaffected.
A controlled study of 15 healthy adults found no measurable brain or cognitive changes from phone EMF exposure during various mental tasks, suggesting individual brain responses remain consistent regardless of radiation exposure.