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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

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.