Neurological Effects

See Building Biologist Michael Kagelidis' well-resourced article How Are EMFs and Sleep Connected & Innovative Ways To Treat Insomnia:

Below are studies showing effects of Wi-Fi and cell phones on anxiety, depression, neurodegeneration, memory and/or learning:

In a study of 469 healthy elementary and junior high school students, statistically significant higher prevalence of self-reported symptoms such as headache (P=0.009, table 1), myalgia (P=0.0002, table 2 ), palpitation (P=0.0001, table 2), fatigue (P=9×10-8, table 2), attention problems (P=0.0002, table 3) and nervousness (P=9×10-8, table 3) was found in students who had used mobile phones compared to those never used these phones. Furthermore, a statistically significant association was found between the time mobile phones were used in talk mode and the number of headaches per month (P=0.035), number of vertigo per month (P=0.036), number of sleeping problem per month (P=0.002), or even the site of headache (P=0). Full Text: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/215654709_The_Pattern_of_Mobile_Phone_Use_and_Prevalence_of_Self-Reported_Symptoms_in_Elementary_and_Junior_High_School_Students_in_Shiraz_Iran

  • Pall, M. “Microwave frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produce widespread neuropsychiatric effects including depression” Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy 75 (2016) 43–51

“Soviet and Western literature shows that much of the impact of non-thermal microwave exposures in experimental animals occurs in the brain and peripheral nervous system... These may be generated through roles of VGCC activation, producing excessive neurotransmitter/neuroendocrine release as well as oxidative/nitrosative stress and other responses… Excessive VGCC activity has been shown to have roles in producing neuropsychiatric changes in humans. Two U.S. government reports from the 1970s to 1980s provide evidence for many neuropsychiatric effects of non-thermal microwave EMFs, based on occupational exposure studies. 18 more recent epidemiological studies, provide substantial evidence that microwave EMFs … can each produce similar patterns of neuropsychiatric effects…Among the more commonly reported changes are sleep disturbance/insomnia, headache, depression… fatigue/tiredness…concentration/attention dysfunction, memory changes, dizziness, irritability, loss of appetite... restlessness/anxiety, nausea, skin burning/tingling/dermographism and EEG changes. In summary, then, the mechanism of action of microwave EMFs, the role of the VGCCs in the brain, the impact of non-thermal EMFs on the brain, extensive epidemiological studies performed over the past 50 years, and five criteria testing for causality, all collectively show that various non-thermal microwave EMF exposures produce diverse neuropsychiatric effects.”

Full Text: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281261829_Microwave_frequency_electromagnetic_fields_EMFs_produce_widespread_neuropsychiatric_effects_including_depression

  • Another similar review paper by Pall in 2018, focusing only on health effects and neuropsychiatric effects from Wi-Fi, "Wi-Fi is an Important Threat to Human Health" Environmental Research Volume 164, July 2018, Pages 405-416 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935118300355

  • Buchner and Eger, 2011. A study done on a German town (Rimbach) of 60 people before (Jan/Feb 2004) and after (thru July 2005) a cell tower installation showed statistically significant effects on neurotransmitters at peak cell phone signal exposure levels of 60-100 uW/m2. Noradrenaline and adrenaline INCREASED, while dopamine and PEA DECREASED. Noradrenaline and adrenaline going up signify increased stress levels (or increased anxiety), and dopamine going down decreases ability to concentrate, and decreased PEA is implicated in ADD as low PEA appears in a large proportion of ADD (Ritalin, a chemical similar to PEA, is used in ADD treatment).

Study also says that children and chronically ill are more vulnerable to effects of wireless radiation, and that exposure to other wireless signals such as Wi-Fi amplifies the effects of the cell phone radiation on noradrenaline, adrenaline in children and the chronically ill (people with allergies). Full text: https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/7520941673.pdf

Study showed that "long-term exposure of 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi may lead to adverse effects such as neurodegenerative diseases originated from the alteration of some miRNA expression. Results were statistically significant. Long Term exposure [24 hours a day for 1 year] to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi radiation can alter expression of some of the miRNAs such as miR-106b-5p (adj p * _ 0.010) and miR-107 (adj p * _ 0.005). We observed that mir 107 expression is 3.3 times and miR-106b-5p expression is 3.65 times lower in the exposure group than in the control group. "

Full Text: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273637962_Effects_of_24_GHz_radiofrequency_radiation_emitted_from_Wi-Fi_equipment_on_microRNA_expression_in_brain_tissue

Rats (age 30 days, 120 ¡ 5 g) were exposed to 900 MHz radio waves (cell phone) at an average SAR of 0.99 W/kg by means of a mobile hand set for 4 hours per day for 15 days. [Cell phones sold in the US are not to exceed a SAR of 1.6W/kg] "A significant change in behavior, i.e., more anxiety and poor learning was shown by test animals as compared to controls and sham group. A significant change in level of antioxidant enzymes and nonenzymatic antioxidants, and increase in lipid peroxidation were observed in test rats. Histological examination showed neurodegenerative cells in hippocampal sub regions and cerebral cortex. Discussion: Thus our findings indicate extensive neurodegeneration on exposure to radio waves. Increased production of reactive oxygen species due to exhaustion of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and increased lipid peroxidation are indicating extensive neurodegeneration in selective areas of CA1, CA3, DG, and cerebral cortex. This extensive neuronal damage results in alterations in behavior related to memory and learning."

"A neuronal damage of the kind described here may not have immediate demonstrable consequences, but in the long run it may result in reduced brain reserve capacity that might be unveiled by other late neuronal diseases. We cannot exclude the possibility that after some decades of daily (often) use, a whole generation of users may suffer from the negative effects, perhaps as early as in middle age." Full Text: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273950390_effect_of_mobile_phone_radiation_on_structure_and_functions_of_the_brain

Rats were exposed to 2.45 GHz Wi-Fi for 4 h/day for 45 days at 7.88W/m2 (=788uW/cm2) [FCC limit is 1000uW/cm2 for 30 minutes, so exposure within US limits]

“The exposed rats elicited memory decline and anxiety behavior. Exposure decreased activities of super oxide dismutase, catalase and reduced glutathione levels whereas increased levels of brain lipid peroxidation was encountered in the radiation exposed rats, showing compromised anti-oxidant defense. reduction in number of dendritic branching and intersections which corresponds to alteration in dendritic structure of neurons, affecting neuronal signaling. The study clearly indicates that exposure of rats to microwave radiation of 2.45 GHz leads to detrimental changes in brain leading to lowering of learning and memory and expression of anxiety behavior in rats along with fall in brain antioxidant enzyme systems.” Full Text http://www.pathophysiologyjournal.com/article/S0928-4680(17)30052-4/pdf

  • Zhang, Jet al, 2017. Effects of 1.8 GHz Radiofrequency Fields on the Emotional Behavior and Spatial Memory of Adolescent Mice. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2017, 14, 1344; doi:10.3390/ijerph14111344

4 week exposure to 1.8GHz at 2.2 W/kg in mice increased anxiety-like behavior in rats. GABA levels decreased significantly after RF exposure. Full Text https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5707983/pdf/ijerph-14-01344.pdf

Study found that RF-EMF exposure led to myelin sheath damage and hyperactivity-like behaviour in mice exposed to 835 MHz RF-EMF at a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 4.0 W/kg for 5 hours/day during 12 weeks. Demyelination was induced in cortical neurons following prolonged RF-EMF exposure and suggests a potential cause of neurological or neurobehavioural disorders. Full Text https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5247706/pdf/srep41129.pdf

Review of the evidence for an association between myelin integrity and exposure to low-intensity radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs).

“Overall, evidence from in vivo and in vitro and epidemiological studies suggests an association between RF-EMF exposure and either myelin deterioration or a direct impact on neuronal conduction, which may account for many electrohypersensitivity symptoms. The most vulnerable are likely to be those in utero through to at least mid-teen years, as well as ill and elderly individuals.” Full Text: http://www.avaate.org/IMG/pdf/redmayne_johansson_2014.pdf

  • Sage, C. and Burgio, E. (2017), Electromagnetic Fields, Pulsed Radiofrequency Radiation, and Epigenetics: How Wireless Technologies May Affect Childhood Development. Child Dev. doi:10.1111/cdev.12824

“New epigenetic studies are profiled in this review to account for some neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral changes due to exposure to wireless technologies. Symptoms of retarded memory, learning, cognition, attention, and behavioral problems have been reported in numerous studies and are similarly manifested in autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, as a result of EMF and RFR exposures where both epigenetic drivers and genetic (DNA) damage are likely contributors. Technology benefits can be realized by adopting wired devices for education to avoid health risk and promote academic achievement.”

Full Text https://eliant.eu/fileadmin/user_upload/de/pdf/Sage_Burgio_Childhood_2017_Epigenetics.pdf

  • Ezz et al, The effect of pulsed electromagnetic radiation from mobile phone on the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters in four different areas of rat brain. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences. 2013; 17: 1782-1788

Adult rats were exposed daily to EMR (frequency 1800 MHz, specific absorption rate 0.843 W/kg, power density 0.02 mW/cm2, modulated at 217 Hz) and sacrificed after 1, 2 and 4 months of daily EMR exposure as well as after stopping EMR for 1 month (after 4 months of daily EMR exposure). RESULTS: The exposure to EMR resulted in significant changes in DA, NE and 5-HT [serotonin] in the four selected areas of adult rat brain.

CONCLUSIONS: The exposure of adult rats to EMR may cause disturbances in monoamine neurotransmitters and this may underlie many of the adverse effects reported after EMR including memory, learning, and stress.

Full Text https://www.europeanreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/1782-1788.pdf

University of Maryland students admitted to cravings, anxiety attacks, and depression when abstaining from mobile phones, laptops and television as well as Facebook and Twitter. (Hough, Andrew, The Telegraph, April 8, 2011, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/8436831/Student-addiction-to-technology-similar-to-drug-cravings-study-finds.html).

Prevalence of Neurotoxicity

Anxiety, ADHD, depression and autism have been increasing at alarming rates in children, adolescents, and young adults. The statistics: