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Brain & Nervous System341 citations

Effect of a 915-MHz simulated mobile phone signal on cognitive function in man.

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Preece, AW, Iwi, G, Davies-Smith, A, Wesnes, K, Butler, S, Lim, E, Varey, A · 1999

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Exposure to a 915 MHz simulated mobile phone signal sped up choice reaction time but did not affect memory tests.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Thirty-six participants completed a randomized three-way crossover study with two training sessions and three test sessions. The only cognitive measure that changed was choice reaction time, which became faster, while word, number, picture recall and spatial memory were unchanged.

Why This Matters

The study design accounted for a learning effect across repeated test sessions. The authors suggested the faster reaction time might relate to the angular gyrus under the antenna and could reflect mild heating or a power-dependent non-thermal effect.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 915 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 915 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 915 MHz

Study Details

To examine whether a simulated mobile telephone transmission at 915 MHz has an effect on cognitive function in man.

Thirty-six subjects in two groups were each given two training sessions and then three test sessions...

In both groups, the only test affected was the choice reaction time and this showed as an increase i...

There was evidence of an increase in responsiveness, strongly in the analogue and less in the digital simulation, in choice reaction time. This could be associated with an effect on the angular gyrus that acts as an interface between the visual and speech centres and which lies directly under and on the same side as the antenna. Such an effect could be consistent with mild localized heating, or possibly a non-thermal response, which is nevertheless power-dependent.

Cite This Study
Preece, AW, Iwi, G, Davies-Smith, A, Wesnes, K, Butler, S, Lim, E, Varey, A (1999). Effect of a 915-MHz simulated mobile phone signal on cognitive function in man. Int J Radiat Biol 75(4):447-456, 1999.
Show BibTeX
@article{preece_1999_effect_of_a_915mhz_2529,
  author = {Preece and AW and Iwi and G and Davies-Smith and A and Wesnes and K and Butler and S and Lim and E and Varey and A},
  title = {Effect of a 915-MHz simulated mobile phone signal on cognitive function in man.},
  year = {1999},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10331850/},
}
PubMed: 10331850

Cited By (341 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

The study tested choice reaction time, word recall, number recall, picture recall, and spatial memory.
No, word, number, picture recall and spatial memory did not change with exposure.
They proposed the effect might involve the angular gyrus under the antenna and could be due to mild localized heating or a power-dependent non-thermal response.
Thirty-six subjects took part, divided into two groups.