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Although mobile phone (MP) use has been steadily increasing in the last decades and similar positive trends are expected for the near future, systematic investigations on neurophysiological and cognitive effects caused by recently developed technological standards for MPs are scarcely available. Here, we investigated the effects of radiofrequency (RF) fields emitted by new-generation mobile technologies, specifically, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and Long-Term Evolution (LTE), on intrinsic scalp EEG activity in the alpha band (8–12 Hz) and cognitive performance in the Stroop test. The study involved 60 healthy, young-adult university students (34 for UMTS and 26 for LTE) with double-blind administration of Real and Sham exposure in separate sessions. EEG was recorded before, during and after RF exposure, and Stroop performance was assessed before and after EEG recording. Both RF exposure types caused a notable decrease in the alpha power over the whole scalp that persisted even after the cessation of the exposure, whereas no effects were found on any aspects of performance in the Stroop test. The results imply that the brain networks underlying global alpha oscillations might require minor reconfiguration to adapt to the local biophysical changes caused by focal RF exposure mimicking MP use.

Mobile equipment use of wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) signal modulation has increased exponentially in the past few decades. However, there is inconclusive scientific evidence concerning the potential risks associated with the energy deposition in the brain from Wi-Fi and whether Wi-Fi electromagnetism interacts with cognitive function. In this study we investigated possible neurocognitive effects caused by Wi-Fi exposure. First, we constructed a Wi-Fi exposure system from commercial parts. Dosimetry was first assessed by free space radiofrequency field measurements. The experimental exposure system was then modeled based on real geometry and physical characteristics. Specific absorption rate (SAR) calculations were performed using a whole-body, realistic human voxel model with values corresponding to conventional everyday Wi-Fi exposure (peak SAR10g level was 99.22 mW/kg with 1 W output power and 100% duty cycle). Then, in two provocation experiments involving healthy human volunteers we tested for two hypotheses: 1. Whether a 60 min long 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi exposure affects the spectral power of spontaneous awake electroencephalographic (sEEG) activity (N = 25); and 2. Whether similar Wi-Fi exposure modulates the sustained attention measured by reaction time in a computerized psychomotor vigilance test (PVT) (N = 19). EEG data were recorded at midline electrode sites while volunteers watched a silent documentary. In the PVT task, button press reaction time was recorded. No measurable effects of acute Wi-Fi exposure were found on spectral power of sEEG or reaction time in the psychomotor vigilance test. These results indicate that a single, 60 min Wi-Fi exposure does not alter human oscillatory brain function or objective measures of sustained attention.

The accompanying article by Zentai et al investigates possible effects of radiofrequency (RF) energy from Wi-Fi signals on human brain wave activity. The possible existence of cognitive effects of RF energy has been one of the more contentious discussions in the forever-contentious issue of whether exposure to RF energy at levels that we all commonly encounter in the environment has any health consequences. And now, a decade after the beginning of the revolution in digital wireless communications, the world is filled with devices that transmit RF energy in roughly similar frequency ranges at low power levels. On the other hand, a person who spends hours a day glued to a smartphone or tablet may well experience all sorts of neurocognitive effects -- from the use of the technology, not from RF exposure. EEG studies may well be useful to identify and clarify any such effects. And meanwhile, readers are reminded to closely monitor what their children are doing as they surf the Internet with their Wi-Fi-enabled computers and smartphones.

Background It has been assumed that light with a higher irradiance of pulsed blue light has a much greater influence than that of light with a lower irradiance of steady blue light, although they have the same multiplication value of irradiance and duration. We examined the non-visual physiological effects of blue pulsed light, and determined whether it is sensed visually as being blue. Findings Seven young male volunteers participated in the study. We placed a circular screen (diameter 500 mm) in front of the participants and irradiated it using blue and/or white light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and we used halogen lamps as a standard illuminant. We applied three steady light conditions of white LED (F0), blue LED + white LED (F10), and blue LED (F100), and a blue pulsed light condition of a 100-μs pulse width with a 10% duty ratio (P10). The irradiance of all four conditions at the participant's eye level was almost the same, at around 12 μW/cm 2 . We measured their pupil diameter, recorded electroencephalogram readings and Kwansei Gakuin Sleepiness Scale score, and collected subjective evaluations. The subjective bluish score under the F100 condition was significantly higher than those under other conditions. Even under the P10 condition with a 10% duty ratio of blue pulsed light and the F10 condition, the participant did not perceive the light as bluish. Pupillary light response under the P10 pulsed light condition was significantly greater than under the F10 condition, even though the two conditions had equal blue light components. Conclusions The pupil constricted under the blue pulsed light condition, indicating a non-visual effect of the lighting, even though the participants did not perceive the light as bluish.

The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an effect of mobile phone electromagnetic field emissions on the human electroencephalograph (EEG). EEG recordings from ten awake subjects were taken during exposure to radiofrequency (RF) emissions from a mobile phone positioned behind the head. Two experimental trials were conducted. In the first trial, RF exposures were generated by a GSM mobile phone with the speaker disabled and configured to transmit at full-radiated power. During the second trial, exposures were generated by a non-modified GSM mobile phone in active standby mode. For each trial, subjects were exposed in five minute intervals to a randomized, interrupted sequence of five active and five sham exposures. The experiment was conducted under single-blind conditions. The average EEG band power in active exposure recordings was compared to corresponding sham recordings. Statistical tests indicated significant difference in the full-power mode trial within the EEG alpha (8-13 Hz) and beta (13-32 Hz) bands. A subsequent statistical analysis of median spectral power in discrete EEG rhythms revealed significant differences in 7 of the 32 distinct frequencies overall. In conclusion, the results of this study lend support to EEG effects from mobile phones activated in talk-mode.

The effects of chronic exposure (2 h daily for 21 days) of 1 kHz square wave-modulated 2450 MHz microwave radiation (non-thermal) on sleep-EEG, open field behavior, and thyroid hormones (T 3 , T 4 , and TSH) have been analyzed in an animal model. Results revealed significant changes in these pathophysiological parameters ( p  < 0.05 or better), except body temperature, grooming behavior, and TSH levels. The sleep-EEG power spectrum data for slow wave sleep (SWS), rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and awake (AWA) states in two experimental groups of rats (microwave exposed and the control) were tested by an artificial neural network (ANN), containing 60 nodes in input layer, weighted from power spectrum data from 0 to 30 Hz, 18 nodes in hidden layer and an output node. The target output values for this network were determined with another five-layered neural network (with the structure of 6-14-1-14-6). The input and output of this network was assigned with the six confirmed pathophysiological changes. The most important feature for chronic exposure of 2450 MHz microwave exposure and for control subjects was extracted from the third layer single neuron and used as the target value for the three-layered ANN. The network was found effective in recognizing the EEG power spectra with an average of 71.93% for microwave exposure and 93.13% for control subjects, respectively. However, the lower percentage of pattern identification agreement in the microwave-exposed group in comparison to the control group suggest only mild effects of microwave exposure with this experimental setup.

An electroencephalograph (EEG) study was carried out from 1990 to 2006, using power spectra, averaged coherence, and integral EEG coherence asymmetry coefficients to compare 189 clean-up workers of the Chernobyl accident with 63 age-matched healthy controls. Most of the Chernobyl workers showed three abnormal EEG patterns, as indicated by EEG power mapping. The higher power, most prominent in slow alpha and theta bands, or in fast alpha frequencies, were observed in persons 3-5 years after the clean-up works (the early stage). The lower EEG power in alpha band was found in Chernobyl workers 10 or more years after the accident (the late stage). EEG coherence analysis revealed the existence of two stages in EEG alterations following the Chernobyl clean-up. In the early stage, an increase of EEG coherence in the central brain areas was observed, whereas at the later stage, a decrease of EEG coherence, most prominent in the frontal brain areas, and reduced brain asymmetry prevailed. These results allow us to propose that the described EEG signs may be a reflection of radiation-induced brain dysfunction at the late period after the Chernobyl clean-up and were similar to the EEG markers of brain ageing. The results, in comparison to data of the literature, provide additional support to the premature brain ageing hypothesis in Chernobyl survivors as a result of the radiation brain damage after-effect. Se llevó a cabo un estudio electroencefalográfico (EEG) desde 1990 a 2006, empleando los espectros de energía, la coherencia promediada y los coeficientes integrales de asimetría de coherencia de EEG para comparar 189 trabajadores que participaron en la limpieza después del accidente de Chernobyl con un grupo control de 63 individuos sanos de la misma edad. La mayoría de los trabajadores de Chernobyl mostraron tres patrones anormales de EEG, como indica el mapeo de energía del EEG. La energía más alta, más prominente en las bandas lentas alfa y theta (1) o en frecuencias rápidas alfa (2), se observó en personas estudiadas 3 a 5 años después de los trabajos de limpieza (la fase temprana). La energía en el EEG más baja, en la banda alfa (3), se encontró en los trabajadores de Chernobyl 10 años o más después del accidente (la fase tardía). El análisis de coherencia del EEG reveló la existencia de dos fases en las alteraciones del EEG después de la limpieza de Chernobyl. En la fase temprana, se observó un incremento de la coherencia del EEG en las áreas centrales del cerebro, mientras que en la fase tardía, se observó una reducción de la coherencia del EEG, más prominente en las áreas frontales del cerebro, y prevaleció la reducción de la asimetría del cerebro. Estos resultados nos permiten proponer que los signos EEG descritos pueden ser un reflejo de disfunción cerebral inducida por radiación en la fase tardía después de la limpieza de Chernobyl y que son similares a los marcadores EEG del envejecimiento del cerebro. Los resultados, en comparación con los datos de la literatura, proporcionan apoyo adicional a la hipótesis del envejecimiento cerebral prematuro del cerebro en los supervivientes de Chernobyl como resultado del efecto secundario de lesiones cerebrales por radiación.

The study compared traditional spectral analysis and a new scale-invariant method, the analysis of the length distribution of low-variability periods (LDLVPs), to distinguish between electro-encephalogram (EEG) signals with and without a weak stressor, a low-level modulated microwave field. During the experiment, 23 healthy volunteers were exposed to a microwave (450 MHz) of 7 Hz frequency on-off modulation. The field power density at the scalp was 0.16 mW cm(-2). The experimental protocol consisted of ten cycles of repetitive microwave exposure. Signals from frontal EEG channels FP1 and FP2 were analysed. Smooth power spectrum and length distribution curves of low-variability periods, as well as probability distribution close to normal, confirmed that stationarity of the EEG signal during recordings was achieved. The quantitative measure of LDLVPs provided a significant detection of the effect of the stressor for the six subjects exposed to the microwave field but for none of the sham recordings. The spectral analysis revealed a significant result for one subject only. A significant effect of the exposure to the EEG signal was detected in 25% of subjects, with microwave exposure increasing EEG variability. The effect was not detectable by power spectral measures.

A total of 105 control operators at the Kursk nuclear power station were studied: 45 after working shifts (study group) and 60 on rest days (reference group). These investigations showed that operators’ work shifts had significant influences on the functional state of the nervous system, promoting the appearance or exacerbation of autonomic dysfunction. In some cases, work shifts increased arterial blood pressure to risk levels for the development of cerebrovascular disease. The effects of nuclear power station operators’ work shifts on brain bioelectrical activity included a decrease in the proportion of unaltered EEG traces, along with increases in the spectral power densities of the α rhythm in the parietal leads and the θ rhythm in the posterior temporal and parietal leads. The origin of these changes may be related to both fatigue and the effects of adverse industrial factors. It is suggested that clinical observation of power station operators should be supplemented by assessments of autonomic dysfunction and measurement of the spectral power densities of the α and θ rhythms in the parietal and posterior temporal leads.

A 'Phantom Scalp' was constructed from a conducting foam mat to form a layer under a 62-electrode electroencephalogram cap closely approximating the electrical properties of a human scalp. The mat was placed over a polystyrene manikin head to preserve a correct anatomical arrangement. Electrical signals were recorded with a Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications mobile phone handset in place against the side of the 'head'. Amplitude spectra were compared for three phone conditions: 'off', 'standby' and 'transmit'. At 217 Hz, significant differences were obtained between 'transmit' and the other two conditions, but no significant differences were noted for the physiologically important range 0.5-30 Hz. An anomalous difference was noted for one electrode in the range 30-45 Hz.