3,138 Studies Reviewed. 77.4% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.

EMF Research Studies

Browse 3,138 peer-reviewed studies on electromagnetic field health effects from the BioInitiative Report database.

Filter Studies

Clear all filters

Showing 1,644 studies in Brain & Nervous System

Effects of mobile phone exposure (GSM 900 and WCDMA/UMTS) on polysomnography based sleep quality: An intra- and inter-individual perspective.

Danker-Hopfe H et al. · 2015

German researchers exposed 30 young men to cell phone radiation from GSM 900MHz and WCDMA/UMTS devices while monitoring their sleep with medical-grade equipment. They found that 90% of participants showed measurable changes in their sleep patterns, with the most consistent effect being increased REM sleep in about one-third of the subjects. The study suggests that cell phone radiation can affect individual sleep quality, though the changes varied greatly between people.

Pooled analysis of Swedish case-control studies during 1997 2003 and 2007-2009 on meningioma risk associated with the use of mobile and cordless phones.

Carlberg M, Hardell L. · 2015

Swedish researchers analyzed 1,625 meningioma (brain tumor) cases and 3,530 healthy controls to examine whether mobile and cordless phone use increases tumor risk. They found no overall increased risk, but heavy users who talked for more than 1,436 hours showed a 20% increased risk for mobile phones and 70% increased risk for cordless phones. The heaviest users (over 3,358 hours) had double the risk from cordless phones, suggesting prolonged exposure may contribute to these slow-growing brain tumors.

Influence of electromagnetic field (1800 MHz) on lipid peroxidation in brain, blood, liver and kidney in rats.

Bodera P et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed rats to 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone signals) five times for 15 minutes each and measured oxidative damage in their organs. The EMF exposure increased lipid peroxidation (a marker of cellular damage from free radicals) in the brain, blood, and kidneys, particularly when combined with a pain medication. This suggests that even brief, repeated exposure to cell phone-level radiation may cause measurable oxidative stress in vital organs.

Impact of a Small Cell on the RF-EMF Exposure in a Train.

Aerts S, Plets D, Thielens A, Martens L, Joseph W. · 2015

Researchers measured radiation exposure from cell phones on trains, comparing users connected to distant cell towers versus small cells installed inside the train. They found that passengers using in-train small cells experienced 35 times less brain exposure and 11 times less whole-body exposure from their phones. This demonstrates that proximity to cell towers significantly affects how much radiation your phone needs to emit.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex reduces cocaine use: A pilot study.

Terraneo A et al. · 2015

Researchers tested whether targeted magnetic stimulation of the brain's prefrontal cortex could help cocaine addicts reduce their drug use. They found that patients receiving transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) had significantly more drug-free urine tests and lower cocaine cravings compared to those receiving standard treatment. This pilot study suggests that precisely applied magnetic fields might offer a new therapeutic approach for addiction treatment.

Effect of electromagnetic field on cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in a human mu-opioid receptor cell model.

Ross CL, Teli T, Harrison BS. · 2015

Researchers exposed cells containing human opioid receptors to 5 Hz electromagnetic fields and found they reduced cellular activity (cAMP levels) 23% more effectively than morphine. The effect was frequency-specific, as 13 Hz EMF produced no significant changes. This suggests certain EMF frequencies might influence pain pathways in ways similar to opioid drugs, potentially offering therapeutic benefits without drug side effects.

Common behaviors alterations after extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure in rat animal model.

Mahdavi SM, Sahraei H, Rezaei-Tavirani M, Najafi Abedi A. · 2015

Iranian researchers exposed rats to 40 Hz electromagnetic fields (the same frequency used in many electrical systems) for 21 days and tracked changes in behavior and metabolism. They found significant disruptions including altered body weight patterns, reduced appetite, elevated blood glucose levels, and decreased movement and exploration behaviors. These findings suggest that even relatively low-frequency electromagnetic fields can disrupt normal biological functions in mammals.

Occupational exposures and risk of dementia-related mortality in the prospective Netherlands Cohort Study.

Koeman T et al. · 2015

Dutch researchers followed over 120,000 people for 17 years to see if workplace exposures increased dementia death risk. They found that men exposed to metals, chlorinated solvents, and extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) at work had higher rates of non-vascular dementia mortality. The strongest link was with metals exposure, showing a 35% increased risk.

Occupational exposures and Parkinson's disease mortality in a prospective Dutch cohort.

Brouwer M et al. · 2015

Dutch researchers followed over 120,000 people for 17 years to study whether workplace exposures increase Parkinson's disease deaths. They found that men with high occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) had a 54% higher risk of dying from Parkinson's disease. This matters because ELF-MF exposure comes from power lines, electrical equipment, and many common workplace environments.

Exposure to mobile phone electromagnetic field radiation, ringtone and vibration affects anxiety-like behaviour and oxidative stress biomarkers in albino wistar rats.

Shehu A, Mohammed A, Magaji RA, Muhammad MS. · 2015

Researchers exposed rats to mobile phone radiation, ringtones, and vibrations for 10 minutes daily over 4 weeks to study effects on anxiety and brain chemistry. All exposed groups showed increased anxiety-like behavior, while rats exposed to ringtones or combined ringtone/vibration also had reduced levels of catalase, an important antioxidant enzyme in the brain. This suggests that mobile phone emissions may affect both behavior and the brain's ability to protect itself from cellular damage.

Morphological and antioxidant impairments in the spinal cord of male offspring rats following exposure to a continuous 900-MHz electromagnetic field during early and mid-adolescence.

İkinci A et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed young male rats to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone frequencies) for one hour daily during adolescence and examined their spinal cords. They found significant damage including breakdown of the protective myelin sheaths around nerve fibers, increased oxidative stress markers, and structural abnormalities in nerve cells. This suggests that radiofrequency exposure during critical developmental periods may harm the developing nervous system.

Pre-exposure of neuroblastoma cell line to pulsed electromagnetic field prevents H2 O2 -induced ROS production by increasing MnSOD activity.

Osera C et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed neuroblastoma cells (a type of brain cancer cell) to pulsed electromagnetic fields for short periods over several weeks, then tested how well the cells handled oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules). They found that the EMF pre-exposure increased the cells' natural antioxidant defenses and made them more resistant to damage from hydrogen peroxide, suggesting that certain EMF exposures might help cells protect themselves against harmful oxidation.

Memory performance, wireless communication and exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields: A prospective cohort study in adolescents

Schoeni A, Roser K, Röösli M · 2015

Swiss researchers followed 439 adolescents for one year to see if cell phone radiation affects memory. They found that teens with higher exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from mobile phones showed measurably worse performance on figural memory tests (the ability to remember visual patterns and shapes). The effect was stronger when researchers calculated actual radiation dose to the brain rather than just looking at call time.

Effects of chronic exposure to electromagnetic waves on the auditory system.

Özgür A et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed rats to mobile phone electromagnetic waves for 30 days and examined their auditory systems. The exposed rats showed significant neuronal damage in the brain regions that process hearing, including cell death and tissue swelling. While hearing function tests appeared normal, the microscopic damage suggests that chronic EMF exposure may harm the auditory processing centers in the brain.

Microwave Exposure Impairs Synaptic Plasticity in the Rat Hippocampus and PC12 Cells through Over-activation of the NMDA Receptor Signaling Pathway.

Xiong L et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed rats and nerve cells to microwave radiation at levels similar to wireless devices. The exposure damaged brain synapses (nerve cell connections) and disrupted brain chemicals essential for memory formation, suggesting microwave radiation may impair learning and memory abilities.

EEG Changes Due to Experimentally Induced 3G Mobile Phone Radiation.

Roggeveen S, van Os J, Viechtbauer W, Lousberg R. · 2015

Researchers exposed 31 healthy women to 3G cell phone radiation for 15 minutes and measured their brain wave activity using EEG. They found significant changes in multiple brain wave patterns (alpha, beta, and gamma waves) when the phone was held at the ear, but no changes when placed on the chest. This demonstrates that cell phone radiation can directly alter brain electrical activity in a location-specific way.

Does the Brain Detect 3G Mobile Phone Radiation Peaks? An Explorative In-Depth Analysis of an Experimental Study.

Roggeveen S, van Os J, Lousberg R. · 2015

Researchers used EEG brain scans to monitor 31 women while they held active versus inactive 3G phones near their ears for 15 minutes. When the phone was actively transmitting radiation near the ear, their brains showed measurable electrical responses that occurred unconsciously within milliseconds of each radiation pulse. This demonstrates that human brains can detect and respond to cell phone radiation even when people aren't aware of the exposure.

Possible cause for altered spatial cognition of prepubescent rats exposed to chronic radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation.

Narayanan SN, Kumar RS, Karun KM, Nayak SB, Bhat PG. · 2015

Researchers exposed young rats to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (similar to cell phone frequencies) for one hour daily over four weeks and tested their learning and memory abilities. The exposed rats showed decreased learning abilities and poorer memory retention, especially when tested 48 hours after training. Brain tissue examination revealed structural damage to the hippocampus, the brain region critical for memory and spatial navigation.

Effects of chronic exposure to 950 MHz ultra-high-frequency electromagnetic radiation on reactive oxygen species metabolism in the right and left cerebral cortex of young rats of different ages.

Furtado-Filho OV et al. · 2015

Brazilian researchers exposed pregnant rats and their newborns to cell phone frequency radiation (950 MHz) for 30 minutes daily throughout pregnancy and after birth. They found that 6-day-old exposed rats showed protein damage specifically in the right side of their brain, plus lower blood sugar levels. Newborn rats showed no effects, suggesting developing brains become more vulnerable to EMF damage as they mature.

Effect of Short-term 900 MHz low level electromagnetic radiation exposure on blood serotonin and glutamate levels.

Eris AH et al. · 2015

Researchers exposed rats to cell phone-level radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz) for just 45 minutes and measured changes in brain chemicals. They found that this brief exposure significantly increased blood serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter that affects mood and cognitive function. The researchers note this serotonin increase could potentially impact learning and memory abilities.

Browse by Health Effect