Effects of cell phone radiofrequency signal exposure on brain glucose metabolism
Volkow ND, Tomasi D, Wang GJ, Vaska P, Fowler JS, Telang F, Alexoff D, Logan J, Wong C · 2011
View Original AbstractCell phones measurably increase brain activity by 7% in areas closest to the antenna during typical 50-minute exposures.
Plain English Summary
Researchers measured brain activity in 47 healthy people while they held cell phones to their ears for 50 minutes. They found that brain glucose metabolism (a measure of brain activity) increased by 7% in the area closest to the phone's antenna. While the study authors called the health significance 'unknown,' this demonstrates that cell phone radiation does measurably affect brain function at typical usage levels.
Why This Matters
This landmark study from the National Institutes of Health provides compelling evidence that cell phone radiation directly affects brain activity at exposure levels you encounter during normal phone calls. The SAR level of 0.901 W/kg falls well within the range of typical smartphones, making these findings highly relevant to daily phone use. What makes this research particularly significant is its rigorous methodology and the clear dose-response relationship the researchers documented between radiation intensity and brain changes. The 7% increase in brain glucose metabolism represents measurable biological activity, not just theoretical risk. While the study authors cautiously noted that the clinical significance remains 'unknown,' the reality is that any technology capable of altering brain metabolism deserves serious consideration, especially given our extensive daily exposure to these devices.
Exposure Details
- SAR
- 0.901 W/kg
- Source/Device
- 837.8 MHz
- Exposure Duration
- 50 min
Exposure Context
This study used 0.901 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):
- 2.3x above the Building Biology guideline of 0.4 W/kg
Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.
Where This Falls on the Concern Scale
Study Details
To evaluate if acute cell phone exposure affects brain glucose metabolism, a marker of brain activity
Randomized crossover study conducted between January 1 and December 31, 2009, at a single US labora...
Whole-brain metabolism did not differ between on and off conditions. In contrast, metabolism in the ...
In healthy participants and compared with no exposure, 50-minute cell phone exposure was associated with increased brain glucose metabolism in the region closest to the antenna. This finding is of unknown clinical significance.
Show BibTeX
@article{nd_2011_effects_of_cell_phone_196,
author = {Volkow ND and Tomasi D and Wang GJ and Vaska P and Fowler JS and Telang F and Alexoff D and Logan J and Wong C},
title = {Effects of cell phone radiofrequency signal exposure on brain glucose metabolism},
year = {2011},
url = {https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/645813},
}