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The effect of GSM-like ELF radiation on the alpha band of the human resting EEG.

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Perentos N, Croft RJ, McKenzie RJ, Cvetkovic D, Cosic I. · 2008

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Cell phone ELF fields measurably alter brain wave patterns in the exposed brain hemisphere during normal phone use.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed 72 healthy volunteers to extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields similar to those emitted by GSM cell phones for 20 minutes while monitoring their brain waves. They found that the alpha brain wave activity decreased specifically in the hemisphere of the brain closest to the exposure source. This suggests that the low-frequency electromagnetic fields from mobile phones can directly alter normal brain activity patterns even during rest.

Why This Matters

This study provides compelling evidence that mobile phone emissions affect brain function in measurable ways, even beyond the radiofrequency radiation that gets most attention. The researchers found changes in alpha brain waves, which are associated with relaxed, wakeful states and are crucial for cognitive processing and mental clarity. What makes this particularly significant is that the effect was localized to the exposed hemisphere, demonstrating a clear spatial relationship between EMF exposure and brain response. The reality is that your brain is constantly processing these ELF fields when you hold a phone to your head, and this study shows those fields aren't biologically inert. While we need more research to understand the long-term implications of altered brain wave patterns, the evidence demonstrates that EMF exposure creates measurable neurological changes that warrant precautionary measures.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. Duration: 20 min

Study Details

To investigate the effect of GSM-like ELF radiation on the alpha band of the human resting EEG

Mobile phone handsets such as those operating in the GSM network emit extremely low frequency electr...

A decrease in the alpha frequency band was observed during the 20 minutes of ELF exposure in the exp...

Cite This Study
Perentos N, Croft RJ, McKenzie RJ, Cvetkovic D, Cosic I. (2008). The effect of GSM-like ELF radiation on the alpha band of the human resting EEG. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2008:5680-5683, 2008.
Show BibTeX
@article{n_2008_the_effect_of_gsmlike_1568,
  author = {Perentos N and Croft RJ and McKenzie RJ and Cvetkovic D and Cosic I.},
  title = {The effect of GSM-like ELF radiation on the alpha band of the human resting EEG.},
  year = {2008},
  
  url = {https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/4650503},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2008 study found that 20 minutes of extremely low frequency (ELF) radiation from GSM phones decreased alpha brain wave activity in the exposed hemisphere. This demonstrates that low-frequency electromagnetic fields can directly alter normal brain activity patterns even during rest.
Research shows that ELF fields emitted from GSM handsets during DTX (discontinuous transmission) mode can specifically affect the resting alpha band of human brain waves. The study found decreased alpha activity only in the brain hemisphere closest to the radiation source.
A controlled study of 72 volunteers found that just 20 minutes of ELF electromagnetic field exposure from GSM-like radiation was sufficient to decrease alpha brain wave activity in the exposed brain hemisphere, suggesting relatively rapid effects on neural function.
Research demonstrates that electromagnetic field exposure affects the brain hemisphere closest to the radiation source. In a 2008 study, alpha brain wave decreases occurred specifically in the exposed hemisphere only, not throughout the entire brain during ELF radiation exposure.
Yes, extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields similar to those from GSM phones can alter resting brain activity. A study monitoring 72 healthy volunteers found that ELF exposure decreased alpha brain wave patterns during rest, indicating changes to baseline neural function.