ID Number		1242
Study Type		Human / Provocation
Model		900 & 1800 MHz (GSM) mobile phone exposure and PET scan analysis of brain blood flow
Details		Human subjects (n = 16) exposed to 900 & 1800 MHz (GSM) mobile phones and analysis of brain blood flow, O2, glucose using Positron emission tomography (PET) scanning. Exposure was performed using a mobile phone fitted on the right side of the head and transmitting for 3 seconds, although no SAR information was provided. The central hypothesis involves RF heating in the brain, with consequent increase in extracellular glutamate and changes in cerebral metabolism indicating metabolic stress. Three radioisotopes were injected to monitor blood flow, oxygen uptake and oxygen extraction fraction. Preliminary data showed no effect on cerebral blood flow, but small increases in cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (14%) and oxygen extraction fraction (6.5%). The authors suggest that an elevation of CMRO2 and OEF (less efficient oxygen delivery) is of concern because there is not a commensurate increase of CBF.
Findings		Effects (preliminary results only)
Status		Ongoing
Start Date
End Date
Principal Investigator		Arhus Hospital, Denmark
Funding Agency		Nat'l Res Prog, Denmark
Country		DENMARK
References
Comments		PET scanning: injected radioactive tracer isotope (emits gamma ray photons upon colliding with electrons from chemicals within the brain) used to visualize 3-D images of blood flow, O2, glucose, etc. Preliminary data did not indicate whether the changes were observed on the exposed side of the head. If the theory of the authors is that RF induces these changes by thermal means, this does not agree with the lack of a change in CBF which would seem to be responsive to temperature increases. The effects shown are marginal at best (14% increase CMRO2 and 6.5% increase in OEF).