.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 phone radiation measurably increases brain activity in areas closest to the antenna after just 50 minutes of exposure.
Plain English Summary
Researchers used brain scans to measure glucose metabolism (brain activity) in 47 healthy people while they had cell phones placed against their ears for 50 minutes. They found significantly increased brain activity in the area closest to the phone's antenna compared to when the phones were turned off. The clinical significance of this brain activity change is unknown.
Why This Matters
This landmark study provides direct evidence that cell phone radiation can measurably alter brain function in humans. The researchers documented a 7% increase in glucose metabolism in brain regions closest to the phone's antenna after just 50 minutes of exposure. What makes this particularly significant is that the phones were muted, eliminating any auditory stimulation, so the changes were purely from radiofrequency exposure. The brain regions affected include the orbitofrontal cortex, which plays crucial roles in decision-making and impulse control. While the researchers noted the clinical significance remains unknown, the fact that cell phone radiation can demonstrably change how your brain functions should give anyone pause about prolonged daily exposure.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
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 laborat...
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_2666,
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://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3184892/},
}