Medical/biological study (experimental study)

The Effects of 884 MHz GSM Wireless Communication Signals on Spatial Memory Performance: An Experimental Provocation Study med./bio.

By: Wiholm C, Lowden A, Hillert L, Kuster N, Arnetz BB, Akerstedt T, Moffat SD

Published in: PIERS Proceedings, Prague, Czech Republic. The Electromagnetics Academy, 2007: 526-529; ISBN 978-1-934142-02-8

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Aim of study (acc. to author)

to investigate whether exposure to GSM wireless communication signals has any direct impact on the spatial memory performance.

Background/further details

The male and female probands (n=55) aged 18 to 45 were daily mobile phone users and with or without symptoms they associated with mobile phone use. The test persons were either exposed or sham exposed. The probands passed seven trials in a virtual spatial navigation task (modeled after the Morris Water Task) in which the participant has to navigate to a platform in a pool.

Endpoint

cognitive/behavioral endpoints: spatial memory performance

Exposure

- 884 MHz
- mobile communications
- mobile phone
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 884 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 3 h temporal change between non-DTX and DTX mode	SAR: 0.23 W/kg spatial average (10 g) (average interval duration of 5 s (DTX mode)) SAR: 1.95 W/kg peak value (10 g) (average interval duration of 11 s) SAR: 1.4 W/kg spatial average (10 g) (time averaged result of the above values)

General information

55 mobile phone users divided into two groups: i) participants with symptoms (headache, dizziness, difficulties in concentrating) ii) participants with none of the above symptoms

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	884 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 3 h
Additional info	temporal change between non-DTX and DTX mode

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Additional info	exposure simulated the modulation of the GSM frame structures, but not the higher frequencies resulting from random code modulation

Exposure setup

Exposure source	patch antenna
Setup	antenna exposed simultaneously all possible exposure foot points of mobile phones and the deeper brain structures
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	0.23 W/kg	spatial average	-	10 g	average interval duration of 5 s (DTX mode)
SAR	1.95 W/kg	peak value	-	10 g	average interval duration of 11 s
SAR	1.4 W/kg	spatial average	-	10 g	time averaged result of the above values

Additional parameter details

applied exposure simulated the maximum human exposure during a GSM phone conversation; exposure corresponded with ICNIRP guidelines of 2 W/kg

Exposed system:

human

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

cognitive/behavioral endpoints: spatial memory performance (virtual spatial navigation task modeled after the Morris water maze), distance travelled and learning (amount of improvement from trial 1 to 7)

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 group with symptoms improved their performance under exposure to GSM signals, while no such an effect was observed for the group without symptoms. Exposure to GSM signal had no significant effect in both groups on learning in the trials 1 to 7.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
double blind study, provocation study

Study funded by

Mobile Manufacturers Forum (MMF), Belgium

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