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phones affect brain activity

If a cell phone during a call for a long time to the Ear has increased brain activity in regions that are closest to the antenna.

According to the investigation, which Nora Volkow and her colleagues from National Institute on Drug Abuse conducted have , increased glucose metabolism in orbitofrontal cortex and temporal significantly if a current mobile phone - was held to the ear compared to a mobile phone which was on display - though to put a sound. The results of the study were published in today's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) .

"Although we are unable to determine the clinical relevance of our results may have, so we show the study quite clear that the human brain is sensitive to the effects of radio-magnetic fields of a current mobile phones," said Gene-Jack Wang, one of the co-authors of the study . And though the study provides no indication of what could be the long-term effects of such a mass change in brain activity, the results are after all, of the international research community is already considered as very important.

"There are obviously quite clearly an acute effect of radio waves and magnetic The important question now is whether this effect can be seen in any way connected with changes must be harmful to the brain or contribute to the development of future problems such as brain tumors could. Recent epidemiological studies indicate, inter alia, a cluster of brain tumors, "said Santosh Kesari, director of neuro-oncology at the University of California San Diego.

It was in the past repeatedly studies, the possible relationships between brain tumors and the use of cell phones have investigated . But so far the results have been contradictory and unconvincing.

only just was eagerly awaited by many Interphone study of the scientific community unanimously labeled as "not credible" because some of the statistical values on a significant protective effect of mobile phone use indicates. This was however not for the extreme-phone users (who had an increased risk for the development of a glioma), whose phone use, however, considered unrealistic and was not representative.

Few researchers have but examines the actual physiological effects of radio frequency waves and electromagnetic fields emitted by devices on the brain. Some have shown that blood flow is increased in certain brain regions, when the phone is in use. are works on the effect of mobile phones on the neuronal activity, however it is not practical.

Volkow and her colleagues have for this purpose, a study conducted had to lie down in the 47 patients with a phone to each ear for 50 minutes in a PET scanner . The researchers examined in the wake of the glucose metabolism of the brain once made with the mobile phone right but silently and once issued with both phones.

treats it with the metabolism of the entire brain, they could no difference recognize and flared between cell phone use. They investigated only the regions that were closest to the antenna, the orbitofrontal cortex and the temporal lobes, they found a significant difference in glucose metabolism, when the phone was made.

calculations could confirm that the regions in which the radio frequency and electromagnetic fields from mobile phone use were strongest, in fact identical to those that showed the greatest increase in glucose metabolism.

"Although the radio frequency waves emitted by mobile phones today are weak, they can apparently enable the brain to the extent that it leads to a measurable effect, "Volkow said in a JAMA Report Video.

The differences in neuronal activity could be to changes in neurotransmitter release, are the permeability of the cell membrane, the excitability of neurons or the calcium efflux from the cell due.

It was also considered whether the heat emanating from a current cell phone for the functional changes in the brain may be responsible. The researchers hold this theory but probably for less.

Wang noted that the impact of study are unclear: "There are other studies needed to determine if the effects we have observed that, have potentially long-term consequences could, "he said. A new study this is not yet planned.

"The take-home message," said Kesari, "is that we still know too little, that more studies are necessary and that the mobile phone user should try in the meantime, whenever it goes to the earphone use and reduce the use of cell phones as much as possible - should this even be possible. The use of mobile phones in children only conditionally admit is certainly not unreasonable in this situation. "

Source: could swissestetix Blog