Acute mobile phones exposure affects frontal cortex hemodynamics as evidenced by functional near-infrared spectroscopy.
This study aimed to evaluate by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), the effects induced by an acute exposure (40 mins) to a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) signal emitted by a mobile phone (MP) on the oxygenation of the frontal cortex. Eleven healthy volunteers underwent two sessions (Real and Sham exposure) after a crossover, randomized, double-blind paradigm. The whole procedure lasted 60 mins: 10-mins baseline (Bsl), 40-mins (Exposure), and 10-mins recovery (Post-Exp). Together with frontal hemodynamics, heart rate, objective and subjective vigilance, and self-evaluation of subjective symptoms were also assessed. The fNIRS results showed a slight influence of the GSM signal on frontal cortex, with a linear increase in [HHb] as a function of time in the Real exposure condition (F(4,40)=2.67; P=0.04). No other measure showed any GSM exposure-dependent changes. These results suggest that fNIRS is a convenient tool for safely and noninvasively investigating the cortical activation in MP exposure experimental settings. Given the short-term effects observed in this study, the results should be confirmed on a larger sample size and using a multichannel instrument that allows the investigation of a wider portion of the frontal cortex.
Curcio
Giuseppe
G
Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università di L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy. giuseppe.curcio@univaq.it
Ferrara
Michele
M
Limongi
Tania
T
Tempesta
Daniela
D
Di Sante
Gabriele
G
De Gennaro
Luigi
L
Quaresima
Valentina
V
Ferrari
Marco
M
D000328:Adult; D040421:Cell Phone; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000528:radiation effects*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000528:radiation effects; D011846:Radio Waves / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D006454:Hemoglobins