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Brain & Nervous System

No increased sensitivity in brain activity of adolescents exposed to mobile phone-like emissions

No Effects Found

Loughran SP, Benz DC, Schmid MR, Murbach M, Kuster N, Achermann P. · 2013

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Adolescents showed no immediate brain or cognitive effects from 30-minute cell phone radiation exposure at typical usage levels.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed 22 adolescents (ages 11-13) to cell phone-like radiation at two different power levels for 30 minutes while measuring brain activity and cognitive performance. They found no significant effects on brain waves or thinking abilities compared to fake exposure sessions. This suggests adolescents may not be more sensitive to mobile phone radiation than previously thought.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

The study examined exposure from: 900 MHz Duration: continuous for 30 min

Study Details

To examine the potential sensitivity of adolescents to radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF EMF) exposures, such as those emitted by mobile phones.

In a double-blind, randomized, crossover design, 22 adolescents aged 11–13 years (12 males) underwen...

No clear significant effects of RF EMF exposure were found on the waking EEG or cognitive performanc...

Overall, the current study was unable to demonstrate exposure-related effects previously observed on the waking EEG in adults, and also provides further support for a lack of an influence of mobile phone-like exposure on cognitive performance.

Cite This Study
Loughran SP, Benz DC, Schmid MR, Murbach M, Kuster N, Achermann P. (2013). No increased sensitivity in brain activity of adolescents exposed to mobile phone-like emissions Clin Neurophysiol. 124(7):1303-1308, 2013.
Show BibTeX
@article{sp_2013_no_increased_sensitivity_in_2782,
  author = {Loughran SP and Benz DC and Schmid MR and Murbach M and Kuster N and Achermann P. },
  title = {No increased sensitivity in brain activity of adolescents exposed to mobile phone-like emissions},
  year = {2013},
  
  url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1388245713000515},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

A 2013 study found no significant effects on brain waves or cognitive performance when 22 adolescents were exposed to cell phone-like radiation for 30 minutes. This suggests teenage brains may not be more sensitive to mobile phone emissions than previously thought.
Research exposing teens to 900 MHz radiation at cell phone power levels found no clear effects on brain activity or thinking abilities. The study measured brain waves during exposure and found no significant differences compared to fake exposure sessions.
A controlled study of 11-13 year olds found no impact on cognitive performance from 30-minute exposures to mobile phone-like radiation. Brain wave measurements also showed no significant changes, suggesting limited effects on teenage mental function.
Current research suggests adolescents may not be more sensitive to mobile phone radiation than adults. A 2013 study failed to replicate brain wave effects previously seen in adults, finding no significant responses in teenagers exposed to similar radiation levels.
Studies measuring direct brain activity in teenagers exposed to cell phone radiation found no significant effects on brain waves or cognitive performance. This research suggests the immediate brain risks from typical mobile phone use may be limited for adolescents.