Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.
Electromagnetic interference of GSM mobile phones with the implantable deep brain stimulator, ITREL-III.
Kainz W, Alesch F, Chan DD. · 2003
View Original AbstractDeep brain stimulators showed no interference from standard GSM phones, but basic precautions like using phones away from implants remain wise.
Plain English Summary
Researchers tested whether GSM mobile phones interfere with deep brain stimulators (devices implanted in the brain to treat conditions like Parkinson's disease) by exposing the ITREL-III stimulator to signals from 20 different phones in laboratory conditions. They found no interference at normal phone power levels, though the device could be disrupted at much higher power levels than phones actually emit. The study concluded that patients with these brain implants can safely use GSM phones with basic precautions.
Study Details
The purpose was to investigate mobile phone interference with implantable deep brain stimulators by means of 10 different 900 Mega Hertz (MHz) and 10 different 1800 MHz GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) mobile phones.
All tests were performed in vitro using a phantom especially developed for testing with deep brain s...
Despite a maximum transmitted peak power of mobile phones of 1 Watt (W) at 1800 MHz and 2 W at 900 M...
These investigations do not indicate a direct risk for ITREL-III patients using the tested GSM phones. Based on the interference levels found with CW signals, which are below the mobile phone emissions, we recommend similar precautions as for patients with cardiac pacemakers: 1. The phone should be used at the ear at the opposite side of the implant and 2. The patient should avoid carrying the phone close to the implant.
Show BibTeX
@article{w_2003_electromagnetic_interference_of_gsm_3127,
author = {Kainz W and Alesch F and Chan DD.},
title = {Electromagnetic interference of GSM mobile phones with the implantable deep brain stimulator, ITREL-III.},
year = {2003},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12773204/},
}