Effects of electromagnetic fields emitted by cellular phones on the electroencephalogram during a visual working memory task

• Published in: International journal of radiation biology Vol. 76; no. 12; pp. 1659 - 1667
• Main Authors: KRAUSE, C. M, SILLANMÄKI, L, KOIVISTO, M, HÄGGQVIST, A, SAARELA, C, REVONSUO, A, LAINE, M, HÄMÄLÄINEN, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Informa UK Ltd 2000; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Brain - radiation effects; Cognition - radiation effects; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Electroencephalography; Electromagnetic Fields - adverse effects; Female; Humans; Injuries of the nervous system and the skull. Diseases due to physical agents; Male; Medical sciences; Memory - radiation effects; Telephone; Time Factors; Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents; Human; Healthy subject; Visual memory; Telephone; Male; Electroencephalography; Electrodiagnosis; Portable; Adult; Female; Magnetic field; Comparative study; Visual task
• ISSN: 0955-3002; 1362-3095
• DOI: 10.1080/09553000050201154

Purpose : To examine the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted by cellular phones on the event-related desynchronization/synchronization (ERD/ERS) responses of the 4-6, 6-8, 8-10 and 10-12 Hz EEG frequency bands during cognitive processing. Materials and methods : Twenty-four subjects performed a visual sequential letter task (n -back task) with three different working memory load conditions: zero, one and two items. All subjects performed the memory task both with and without exposure to a digital 902MHz EMF in counterbalanced order. Results : The presence of EMF altered the ERD/ERS responses in the 6-8 and 8-10Hz frequency bands but only when examined as a function of memory load and depending also on whether the presented stimulus was a target or not. Conclusions : The results suggest that the exposure to EMF modulates the responses of EEG oscillatory activity ~8Hz specifically during cognitive processes.