Medical/biological Study (experimental study)

Mobile phone exposure and spatial memory. med./biol.

PubMed Entry

Journal web site

Aim of study (according to author)
To investigate the effects of a 2.5 h exposure to radiofrequency fields typical of that emitted from GSM mobile phones on spatial memory performance in subjects with and without self-reported symptoms attributed to mobile phone use.
Background/further details:
19 non-symptomatic subjects (7 females) and 23 symptomatic subjects (14 females) were examined during an exposure and a sham exposure condition.

Endpoint

• cognitive/behavioral endpoints: spatial memory and learning

Exposure
General category: mobile communication system, digital mobile phone, GSM

Field characteristics	Parameters
884 MHz pulsed (PW) exposure duration: continuous for 2.5 h	SAR: 1.4 W/kg average over time (10 g) (peak spatial) SAR: 1.95 W/kg peak value (10 g) (non-DTX) SAR: 0.23 W/kg peak value (10 g) (DTX)

Exposed system:
human
partial body exposure: head, ear (left hemisphere)

Methods
Endpoint/Measurement parameters/Methodology

• cognitive/behavioral endpoints: virtual spatial navigation task modeled after Morris water maze with spatial memory (distance traveled on each trial) and learning (amount of improvement across trials) as parameters

Main outcome of study (according to author)
Before the exposure there was no difference in performance between groups. After the exposure the symptomatic group improved in performance (shorter distance traveled) while there was no such effect in the non-symptomatic group.
The authors suggested that radiofrequency exposure contributes to a biological arousal improving attention in the symptomatic group and thereby contributing to the improved performance.

(Study character: medical/biological study, experimental study, full/main study, double-blind study, repeated measures design, cross-over study, provocation study)

Study funded by

• Mobile Manufacturers Forum (MMF), Belgium

• Sauter C et al. (2011): Effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by GSM 900 and WCDMA...
• Fragopoulou AF et al. (2010): Whole body exposure with GSM 900MHz affects spatial memory in mice.
• Haarala C et al. (2007): Pulsed and continuous wave mobile phone exposure over left versus right...
• Regel SJ et al. (2007): Pulsed radio frequency radiation affects cognitive performance and the waking...
• Wiholm C et al. (2007): The Effects of 884 MHz GSM Wireless Communication Signals on Spatial Memory...
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• Preece AW et al. (1999): Effect of a 915-MHz simulated mobile phone signal on cognitive function in man.