title: Pulsed radio frequency radiation affects cognitive performance and the waking electroencephalogram.
abstract: We investigated the effects of radio frequency electromagnetic fields on brain physiology. Twenty-four healthy young men were exposed for 30 min to pulse-modulated or continuous-wave radio frequency electromagnetic fields (900 MHz; peak specific absorption rate 1 W/kg), or sham exposed. During exposure, participants performed cognitive tasks. Waking electroencephalogram was recorded during baseline, immediately after, and 30 and 60 min after exposure. Pulse-modulated radio frequency electromagnetic field exposure reduced reaction speed and increased accuracy in a working-memory task. It also increased spectral power in the waking electroencephalogram in the 10.5-11 Hz range 30 min after exposure. No effects were observed for continuous-wave radio frequency electromagnetic fields. These findings provide further evidence for a nonthermal biological effect of pulsed radio frequency electromagnetic fields.
authors.affiliation: University of Zürich, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Sabine J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Regel
authors.forename: Julie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gottselig
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schuderer
authors.forename: Gilberte
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tinguely
authors.forename: Julia V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Rétey
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kuster
authors.forename: Hans-Peter
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Landolt
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Achermann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011846:Radio Waves; D013997:Time Factors; D014851:Wakefulness