Cognitive and neurobiological alterations in electromagnetic hypersensitive patients: results of a case-control study.
Landgrebe M, Frick U, Hauser S, Langguth B, Rosner R, Hajak G, Eichhammer P. · 2008
View Original AbstractPeople reporting electromagnetic hypersensitivity show measurable brain differences, suggesting genuine neurobiological vulnerability rather than purely psychological symptoms.
Plain English Summary
Researchers compared 89 people who report electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) with 107 healthy controls using brain stimulation tests and cognitive assessments. They found that EHS patients had measurable differences in brain function, including reduced ability to distinguish between real and fake electromagnetic stimulation, and altered patterns of brain excitability that varied by age. The study suggests these individuals may have genuine neurobiological differences that make them more vulnerable to electromagnetic effects.
Why This Matters
This research matters because it challenges the common dismissal of electromagnetic hypersensitivity as purely psychological. Using objective brain measurements rather than subjective symptom reports, the researchers found concrete neurobiological differences in people with EHS. The finding that only 40% of EHS patients could distinguish sham stimulation from no stimulation (compared to 60% of controls) suggests altered sensory processing, while the age-related changes in brain excitability point to real physiological variations. What this means for you is that EHS appears to involve measurable brain differences, not just imagination or anxiety. While we still don't fully understand the mechanisms, this study adds to growing evidence that some individuals may indeed be more biologically susceptible to electromagnetic fields than others.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
This study examined in the largest sample of EHS EMF-specific cognitive correlates, discrimination ability and neurobiological parameters in order to get further insight into the pathophysiology of electromagnetic hypersensitivity.
In a case-control design 89 EHS and 107 age- and gender-matched controls were included in the study....
Discrimination ability was significantly reduced in EHS (only 40% of the EHS but 60% of the controls...
These results demonstrate significant cognitive and neurobiological alterations pointing to a higher genuine individual vulnerability of electromagnetic hypersensitive patients.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2008_cognitive_and_neurobiological_alterations_2336,
author = {Landgrebe M and Frick U and Hauser S and Langguth B and Rosner R and Hajak G and Eichhammer P.},
title = {Cognitive and neurobiological alterations in electromagnetic hypersensitive patients: results of a case-control study.},
year = {2008},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18366821/},
}