ID Number		1235
Study Type		Human / Provocation
Model		900 MHz (GSM) exposure to self-reported hypersensitive people and analysis of cognitive function and memory effects
Details		Human subjects (n = 20, mean age 45.2) self-reporting symptoms of headaches, fatigue, memory problems, and sensations of heat on and behind the ear associated with their mobile phone use (+ 20 age & sex matched controls) were examined in a laboratory provocation study for mobile phone RF exposure. Subjects were exposed using 2 x 900 MHz GSM base station antennas (one on each side of the head) for 30 minutes at ~1 W/kg in the head. Either the left or the right antenna was activated, or in the sham condition power was fed to a 25 dummy load. . The volunteers were recruited through an advertisement in the local paper. Each subject participated in 2 sessions, on two different days with the exposure/sham day randomized. Effects on basic physiologic parameters [heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), sympathetic vascular constriction (PPG), electrodermal activity (EDA), breathing, critical flicker fusion threshold (CFFT)] as well as cognitive function, reaction time, and memory were evaluated. Each recording session consisted of a 5 minute adaptation period after application of physiologic recording electrodes followed by recording of physiological baseline data, CFFT-registration, and tests of memory and reaction time. A questionnaire regarding experiences and subjective symptoms during the test was also completed. The authors report no significant differences between sham and exposed or between hypersensitive and control groups with respect to reaction time, short-time memory, or CFFT (although CFFT values were non-statistically higher among exposed than sham exposed). There were also no effects observed in physiological baseline data, apart from slightly lower heart and breathing frequencies in the RF exposed group. However, a significant difference between the hypersensitive and control groups was observed with RF exposure in HRV, with the hypersensitive subjects showing a higher ratio between the high and low frequency bands. The authors interpret this finding as a possible effect of RF exposure on the autonomous stress response in hypersensitive individuals. The authors suggest these findings should be subject to further investigation.
Findings		Ongoing
Status		Ongoing
Start Date
End Date
Principal Investigator		National Institute for Working Life, Sweden - mild@niwl.se
Funding Agency		NIWL, Sweden
Country		SWEDEN
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