EMF-Portal | [The effects of pulsed low-level EM fields on memory processes]

Zur Wirkung gepulster elektromagnetischer Felder geringer Leistungen auf Gedächtnisprozesse

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Background/further details

A psycho-physiological test paradigm (auditory discrimination task; determination of auditory order threshold (OT)) was used. Subjects had to decide on which side the first of two succeeding stimuli was presented. Inter-stimulus-intervals (ISI) were gradually reduced as long as no mistakes occured; wrong responses led to expansion of the ISI.

Endpoint

Exposure

mobile communications
GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 30 min	power density: 10 mW/m² unspecified

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Charakteristic	far field
Exposure duration	continuous for 30 min

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Repetition frequency	217 Hz

Exposure setup

Exposure source	900 MHz transmitting antenna (Patch)
Chamber	Acoustically shielded room.
Setup	During the exposure the subjects relaxed on a stretcher.
Additional info	Double blind experiments were performed. Each test person participated in the experiment twice (on separate days), once with and once without exposure.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	10 mW/m²	unspecified	measured	-	-

Measurement and calculation details

The field strength at the head was verified on the one hand with a receiving antenna and an oscilloscope and on the other hand with a field meter and a probe.

Exposed system:

human
partial body: head (antenna was 2 m above the head; far field)

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

brain/CNS
ear

Time of investigation:

before exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Exposure to pulsed fields resulted in reduced mental-regeneration performance in 21 of the 33 subjects, as reflected by an increase of order threshold.

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Sauter C et al. (2011): Effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by GSM 900 and WCDMA mobile phones on cognitive function in young male subjects

Cinel C et al. (2008): Does the use of mobile phones affect human short-term memory or attention?

Cinel C et al. (2007): Effects of mobile phone electromagnetic fields on an auditory order threshold task

Maier R et al. (2004): Effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on cognitive processes - a pilot study on pulsed field interference with cognitive regeneration

Eibert T et al. (1997): [Investigation of Cerebro-Biological Effects in Low-Frequency Pulsed RF Fields]

[The effects of pulsed low-level EM fields on memory processes] med./bio.