LarsA.Perhaps you could comment as to the morality if the Euro's selling GPRS brain cookers to unsuspecting citizens and third world countries?
JohnG
neuroreport.com
Press release
NeuroReport
Exposure to pulsed high-frequency
electromagnetic field during waking affects
human sleep EEG
Reto Huber, Thomas Graf, Kimberly A. Cote, Lutz Wittmann,
Eva Gallmann, Daniel Matter, Jürgen Schuderer, Niels Kuster,
Alexander A. Borbély and Peter Achermann
Contact: Dr Peter Achermann, Institute of Pharmacology and
Toxicology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057
Zürich, Switzerland
E-mail: acherman@pharma.unizh.ch
Related information: unizh.ch
NeuroReport Volume 11, number 15, 3321-3325
The aim of the study was to investigate whether the electromagnetic field emitted by digital
radiotelephone handsets affects brain physiology. The main effect was the enhancement of the intensity of
certain frequencies of the brain’s electrical signals (i.e. electroencephalogram, EEG) in the first 30
minutes of non-REM sleep.
The extensive use of mobile phones has given rise to public debate about possible adverse effects on
human health. A recent report of the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones established by the
British government summarized the relevant studies on the biological effects of electromagnetic fields
(EMF). They proposed that a precautionary approach be adopted until more robust scientific information
becomes available. In a previous study, the authors demonstrated that exposure to EMF during sleep
reduced waking after sleep onset and affected the EEG in non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep.
In this present study, the authors investigated the effect of exposure to pulsed high-frequency EMF during
waking on subsequent sleep. Fields similar to those emitted by mobile communications equipment of
GSM type (global system for mobile communication) were applied. To simulate the real-life exposure
conditions, the subjects were exposed on either side of the head. The EMF was directed to either the
right or left side of the head for 30 min. The subsequent sleep episode was analyzed. As in a previous
study, in which mechanical stimulation of the right hand had been shown to induce unilateral changes in
the sleep EEG, the authors anticipated hemispheric differences.
Exposure to EMF affected neither the sleep stages, nor were significant effects of EMF exposure
observed for subjective assessment of waking after sleep onset, sleep latency, and sleep quality.
The main effect of EMF exposure was the enhancement of the intensity of the brain’s electrical signals
(EEG power density) in the frequency range of 9.750 - 11.25 Hz and in the 12.25 - 13.25 Hz in the first
30 minutes of non-REM sleep. This effect was also present when the left and right exposure were
analyzed separately. The two sides of the brain were similarly affected after left and right exposure. A
comparison within individuals showed that the spectral spindle peak frequency in the 10 - 15 Hz range
was not shifted by left and right exposure. The REM sleep spectrum was not significantly affected.
In this study the authors have shown for the first time that exposure to EMF during waking affects the
EEG during subsequent sleep. In the authors’ previous study, the EMF was directed towards the top of
the head to expose both sides of the brain. In the present experiment, the field was aimed at one side or
the other. Contrary to the authors’ expectation, the change in the brain’s electrical signal intensity was
similar for both sides of the head.
The present results lend support to previous reports on effects of EMF on physiological and
psychological variables. These include sleep and cognitive function as well as blood pressure and heart
rate. However, the present study is unique in having confirmed previous results of an experiment
performed under similar conditions on the effect on sleep. The other findings still need to be replicated
or could not be reproduced.
This study demonstrates that a short exposure to an electromagnetic field similar to those emitted by
mobile phones has an effect on brain physiology. Conclusions about possible adverse effects on human
health are premature because the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Further studies are needed to
determine the time course of the changes, to specify field strength - response relationships, and to define
the critical field parameters (e.g. modulation, frequency).
This paper and accompanying In Focus article by a journal editor is for a short period freely
available on-line on this site.
To obtain a faxed pre-publication copy of this paper please contact:
Dr Phil J. Daly or Mr Ian Burgess
NeuroReport Editorial Office
Tel: +44-(0)20-7940-7500 (switchboard), -7521 (PJD), or –7518 (IB)
Fax: +44-(0)20-7940-7515
E-mail: pdaly@lww.co.uk
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