Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of mobile phone signals over BOLD response while performing a cognitive task med./bio.

By: Curcio G, Nardo D, Perrucci MG, Pasqualetti P, Chen TL, Del Gratta C, Romani GL, Rossini PM

Published in: Clin Neurophysiol 2012; 123 (1): 129-136

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of an exposure to a GSM signal on brain BOLD (blood-oxygen-level dependent) response, as well as its time course while performing a reaction time task.

Background/further details

12 young men participated (age range: 19-25) and underwent two sessions separated by one week (exposure/sham exposure session).

Endpoint

effects on the neurological system: brain BOLD (blood-oxygen-level dependent) response
cognitive/behavioral endpoints: somatosensory reaction time task

Exposure

- 902.4 MHz
- PW pulsed wave
- mobile communications
- digital mobile phone
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 902.4 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 45 min	power: 2 W peak value power: 0.25 W average over time SAR: 1.25 W/kg (at superficial level) SAR: 0.5 W/kg maximum (at 2 cm depth in a phantom) SAR: 0.212 W/kg minimum (at 5 cm depth in a phantom)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	902.4 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 45 min

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Repetition frequency	217 Hz
Additional info	second modulation frequency: 8.33 Hz

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone Motorola Timeport 260
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	1.5 cm
Setup	mobile phone set by a test card to transmit a typical basic GSM signal; phone held by a helmet in a typical phoning position over the right ear with the antenna oriented to the temporo-parietal area and the microphone oriented towards the mouth; identical phone without battery placed on the left side of the helmet; subjects could move freely during exposure or sham exposure; subjects performed two sessions, separated by one week
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power	2 W	peak value	-	-	-
power	0.25 W	average over time	-	-	-
SAR	1.25 W/kg	-	measured	-	at superficial level
SAR	0.5 W/kg	maximum	measured	-	at 2 cm depth in a phantom
SAR	0.212 W/kg	minimum	measured	-	at 5 cm depth in a phantom

Reference articles

Curcio G et al. (2008): Psychomotor performance is not influenced by brief repeated exposures to mobile phones

Exposed system:

human
partial body: right ear

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on the neurological system: brain BOLD (blood-oxygen-level dependent) response (fMRI)
cognitive/behavioral endpoints: somatosensory reaction time task (go/no-go task: reaction (pressing a button) to electrical stimulations (single or paired electrical pulses) delivered to the median nerve of both wrists)

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

brain/CNS

Time of investigation:

before exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data did not detect any brain activity changes by mobile phones. Also reaction times in the somatosensory task were not affected.
In conclusion, no changes in BOLD response have been observed as a consequence of radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
double-blind study

Study funded by

Lottomatica, Italy
Monopoli di Stato, Italy

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