Effects of short and long term electromagnetic fields exposure on the human hippocampus.

Abstract

The increasing use of mobile phones may have a number of physiological and psychological effects on human health. Many animal and human studies have reported various effects on the central nervous system and cognitive performance from of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted by mobile phones. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of mobile phones on the morphology of the human brain and on cognitive performance using stereological and spectroscopic methods and neurocognitive tests. Sixty healthy female medical school students aged 18-25 years were divided into a low exposure group (30 subjects, <30 min daily use by the head) and high exposure group (30 subjects, >90 min daily use by the head). Magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the brain analysed on OsiriX 3.2.1 workstation. Neuropsychological tests were performed for each subject. In addition, three dominant specific metabolites were analysed, choline at 3.21 ppm, creatine at 3.04 ppm and -acetyl aspartate at 2.02 ppm. Analysis of the spectroscopic results revealed no significant difference in specific metabolites between the groups (p > 0.05). There was also no significant difference in terms of hippocampal volume between the groups (p > 0.05). In contrast, the results of the stroop and digit span (backward) neurocognitive tests of high exposure group for evaluating attention were significantly poorer from low exposure group (p < 0.05). Based on these results, we conclude that a lack of attention and concentration may occur in subjects who talk on mobile phones for longer times, compared to those who use phones relatively less.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

No significant differences were found between low and high mobile phone use groups for hippocampal volume or for spectroscopy metabolites (choline, creatine, N-acetyl aspartate) (p>0.05). The high exposure group performed significantly worse on Stroop and digit span backward tests assessing attention (p<0.05).

Outcomes measured

• Hippocampal volume (MRI)
• Brain metabolites by spectroscopy (choline, creatine, N-acetyl aspartate)
• Neurocognitive performance (Stroop test; digit span backward/attention)

Limitations

• Exposure was based on self-reported daily phone use duration by the head; no frequency/SAR or objective exposure measurements reported.
• Cross-sectional group comparison; causality cannot be determined.
• Sample limited to healthy female medical students aged 18–25; generalizability may be limited.
• Only two exposure categories (<30 min vs >90 min daily) described; intermediate use not characterized.

{
    "study_type": "cross_sectional",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "Low exposure: <30 min daily use by the head; High exposure: >90 min daily use by the head"
    },
    "population": "Sixty healthy female medical school students aged 18–25 years",
    "sample_size": 60,
    "outcomes": [
        "Hippocampal volume (MRI)",
        "Brain metabolites by spectroscopy (choline, creatine, N-acetyl aspartate)",
        "Neurocognitive performance (Stroop test; digit span backward/attention)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "No significant differences were found between low and high mobile phone use groups for hippocampal volume or for spectroscopy metabolites (choline, creatine, N-acetyl aspartate) (p>0.05). The high exposure group performed significantly worse on Stroop and digit span backward tests assessing attention (p<0.05).",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Exposure was based on self-reported daily phone use duration by the head; no frequency/SAR or objective exposure measurements reported.",
        "Cross-sectional group comparison; causality cannot be determined.",
        "Sample limited to healthy female medical students aged 18–25; generalizability may be limited.",
        "Only two exposure categories (<30 min vs >90 min daily) described; intermediate use not characterized."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "mobile phone",
        "electromagnetic fields",
        "RF",
        "hippocampus",
        "MRI",
        "spectroscopy",
        "choline",
        "creatine",
        "N-acetyl aspartate",
        "cognition",
        "attention",
        "Stroop",
        "digit span"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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