COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF STUDIES COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF STUDIES INVESTIGATING THE INFLUENCE OF INVESTIGATING THE INFLUENCE OF
EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS ON HUMAN EEG PATTERNSON HUMAN EEG PATTERNS
Biljana GjoneskaBiljana Gjoneskaaa, , Nada Pop-JordanovaNada Pop-Jordanovabb, Leonid Grcev, Leonid Grcevcc
A A Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, R. MacedoniaMacedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, R. Macedonia b b Pediatric Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, R. MacedoniaPediatric Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, R. Macedonia
c c Centre for Electromagnetic Compatibility, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, R. MacedoniaCentre for Electromagnetic Compatibility, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, R. Macedonia
NEUROMATH Meeting, Rome, Italy, 2007NEUROMATH Meeting, Rome, Italy, 2007
ULTIMATE GOALS OF SCIENCEULTIMATE GOALS OF SCIENCE
IN THE OUTER WORLD:IN THE OUTER WORLD:
UNIVERSE -THE MACROCOSMUNIVERSE -THE MACROCOSM
IN OUR INNER WORLD:IN OUR INNER WORLD:
HUMAN BRAIN- THE MICROCOSMHUMAN BRAIN- THE MICROCOSM
NEUROMATH Meeting, Rome, Italy, 2007NEUROMATH Meeting, Rome, Italy, 2007
GLOBAL MOBILE COMMUNICATION GLOBAL MOBILE COMMUNICATION (GSM) DEVICES(GSM) DEVICES
EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCYEXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS (ELF EMF)ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS (ELF EMF)Relevance: Possible interference with the human EEGRelevance: Possible interference with the human EEG
Range: 3 Hz - 3000 HzRange: 3 Hz - 3000 Hz
Sources: Various. Sources: Various.
ELF Components: 2 Hz and 8 HzELF Components: 2 Hz and 8 HzTechnologies: ‘Time division multiple access’ (TDMA) and/or Technologies: ‘Time division multiple access’ (TDMA) and/or
the ‘Discontinuous transmission’ (DTX)the ‘Discontinuous transmission’ (DTX)
““The implementation of laboratory-based studies of cognition and The implementation of laboratory-based studies of cognition and
changes in electroencephalograms (EEGs) in people exposed to changes in electroencephalograms (EEGs) in people exposed to
ELF fields is recommended, including adults regularly subjected ELF fields is recommended, including adults regularly subjected
to occupational exposure and children” to occupational exposure and children”
Monograph “Environmental Health Criteria 238”, WHO, 2007Monograph “Environmental Health Criteria 238”, WHO, 2007
DatabaseDatabase KeywordsKeywordsResulting Resulting ArticlesArticles
Relevant Relevant ArticlesArticles
““Pubmed”Pubmed”Low frequency EMF, Low frequency EMF,
ELF and EEGELF and EEG55 11
““Scirus”Scirus”Low frequency EMF, Low frequency EMF,
ELF and EEGELF and EEG360360 22
““WHO-EMF”WHO-EMF”Low frequency EMF, Low frequency EMF,
ELF and EEGELF and EEG4141 11
SOURCES FOR INVESTIGATIONSOURCES FOR INVESTIGATIONI. ONLINE DIGITAL ARCHIVES I. ONLINE DIGITAL ARCHIVES
-““PubMed”PubMed”-““Scirus” Scirus”
- “ “World Health Organization”World Health Organization”
II. REFERENCED ARTICLESII. REFERENCED ARTICLES
Results: 1 Relevant ArticleResults: 1 Relevant Article
SOURCES FOR INVESTIGATIONSOURCES FOR INVESTIGATION
III. INTERNATIONAL EMF PROJECTSIII. INTERNATIONAL EMF PROJECTS
- “ “COST 281”COST 281” Action investigating possible health impacts of emerging technologies, Action investigating possible health impacts of emerging technologies,
especially related to communication and information technologies that may especially related to communication and information technologies that may result in exposure to electromagnetic fields.result in exposure to electromagnetic fields.
- “EMF-NET” ““Risk Evaluation of Potential Environmental Hazards from Low Frequency Risk Evaluation of Potential Environmental Hazards from Low Frequency
Electromagnetic Field Exposure Using Sensitive in vitro Methods” Electromagnetic Field Exposure Using Sensitive in vitro Methods”
- “ “REFLEX” REFLEX” “Risk Evaluation of Potential Environmental Hazards from Low Frequency
Electromagnetic Field Exposure Using Sensitive in vitro Methods”
- “ “WHO-EMF”WHO-EMF”The International EMF project that examines all evidence of potential health The International EMF project that examines all evidence of potential health
impacts arising from exposure to EMF radiation within the frequency range of 0 impacts arising from exposure to EMF radiation within the frequency range of 0 to 300 GHz.to 300 GHz.
Name of the Name of the Conference/WorkshopConference/Workshop
Founding Founding ProjectProject
Investigated Investigated ParametersParameters
Resulting Resulting PresentatioPresentatio
nsns
RelevantRelevantPresentationsPresentations
““Mobile Telecommunication and Mobile Telecommunication and the Brain” –11/2003the Brain” –11/2003
COST 281COST 281Low frequency EMF, Low frequency EMF,
ELF and EEGELF and EEG1313 00
““Can EMF used in GSM provoke Can EMF used in GSM provoke sleep disorders and other sleep disorders and other
cognitive changes” - 12/2003cognitive changes” - 12/2003COST 281COST 281
Low frequency EMF, Low frequency EMF, ELF and EEGELF and EEG
1818 00
““Do children represent an Do children represent an especially sensitive group of especially sensitive group of
EMF exposed people?” – EMF exposed people?” – 10/200610/2006
COST 281COST 281Low frequency EMF, Low frequency EMF,
ELF and EEGELF and EEG1616 00
““Sensitivity of Children to EMF Sensitivity of Children to EMF Exposure”- 06/ 2004Exposure”- 06/ 2004
WHO-EMFWHO-EMFLow frequency EMF, Low frequency EMF,
ELF and EEGELF and EEG1919 00
SOURCES FOR INVESTIGATIONSOURCES FOR INVESTIGATION
III. INTERNATIONAL EMF PROJECTSIII. INTERNATIONAL EMF PROJECTS
NEUROMATH Meeting, Rome, Italy, 2007NEUROMATH Meeting, Rome, Italy, 2007
FINAL SELECTION OF ARTICLESFINAL SELECTION OF ARTICLES
““Frequency-specific responses in the human brain caused by Frequency-specific responses in the human brain caused by electromagnetic fields”electromagnetic fields”
Neurology Section, Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Medical Center, 1994
““Influence of an alternating 3Hz magnetic field with an induction of 1 Influence of an alternating 3Hz magnetic field with an induction of 1 militesla on chosen parameters of the human occipital EEG”militesla on chosen parameters of the human occipital EEG”
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg.Carl-Ludwig Institute of Physiology, University of Leipzig, 1998
““Preliminary analysis of the effects of DTX mobile phone emissions on Preliminary analysis of the effects of DTX mobile phone emissions on the human EEG”the human EEG”
Clinic of Neurology University Hospital in Zurich, 2004
“Alterations in human EEG activity caused by extremely low frequency Alterations in human EEG activity caused by extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields”electromagnetic fields”
Australian Centre for Radiofrequency Bioeffects Research and RMIT University,School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 2006
““Mobile phone 'talk mode' signal delays EEG-determined sleep onset”Mobile phone 'talk mode' signal delays EEG-determined sleep onset”Sleep Research Centre, Loughborough University, 2007
RESULTSRESULTS
Name of the Study No Age Range
Mean Age
M/F Ratio
“Frequency-specific responses in the human brain caused by electromagnetic fields” 1919 21 - 6221 - 62 3232 11/811/8
“Influence of an alternating 3Hz magnetic field with an induction of 1 militesla on
chosen parameters of the human occipital EEG”
6262 18 - 2518 - 25 25.525.5 36/2636/26
“Preliminary analysis of the effects of DTX mobile phone emissions on the human
EEG”1010 // // //
“Alterations in human EEG activity caused by extremely low frequency electromagnetic
fields”3333 20 - 5920 - 59 3030 24/924/9
“Mobile phone 'talk mode' signal delays EEG-determined sleep onset” 1010 18–2818–28 2222 //
I. DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS IN PARTICIPANTSI. DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS IN PARTICIPANTS
RESULTSRESULTS
Name of the StudyName of the Study EMF productionEMF production Explored freq.Explored freq. ProtocolProtocol
““Frequency-specific Frequency-specific responses in the responses in the
human brain caused human brain caused by electromag netic by electromag netic
fields”fields”
Artificial: Artificial: Helmholtz Helmholtz
CoilsCoils1.5 Hz & 10Hz1.5 Hz & 10Hz
EEG recording during EEG recording during presentation of the presentation of the
EMF for 2 sec, EMF for 2 sec, followed by an inter-followed by an inter-stimu lus period of 5 stimu lus period of 5 sec. for a total of 50 sec. for a total of 50
tri als.tri als.
““Influence of an Influence of an alternating 3Hz alternating 3Hz
magnetic field with an magnetic field with an induction of 1 induction of 1
militesla on chosen militesla on chosen parameters of the parameters of the human occipital human occipital
EEG”EEG”
Artificial: Artificial: Helmholtz Helmholtz
CoilsCoils3 Hz3 Hz
5 min. field-off EEG, 5 min. field-off EEG, 20 min EEG under 20 min EEG under
stimulation, stimulation, 5 min. field-off EEG5 min. field-off EEG
II. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP AND PROTOCOLII. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP AND PROTOCOL
NEUROMATH Meeting, Rome, Italy, 2007NEUROMATH Meeting, Rome, Italy, 2007
RESULTSRESULTS
Name of the StudyName of the Study EMF productionEMF production Explored freq.Explored freq. ProtocolProtocol
““Preliminary analysis of Preliminary analysis of the effects of DTX the effects of DTX
mobile phone emissions mobile phone emissions on the human EEG”on the human EEG”
Artificial: Artificial: Helmholtz Helmholtz
CoilsCoils2 Hz2 Hz
5 min. control period, 5 min. control period, then 2 trains then 2 trains
separated by a 1 min. separated by a 1 min. con trol pe riod. At the con trol pe riod. At the
end again 5 min. end again 5 min. control periodcontrol period
““Alterations in human Alterations in human EEG activity caused by EEG activity caused by
extremely low extremely low frequency frequency
electromagnetic fields”electromagnetic fields”
Artificial: Artificial: Helmholtz Helmholtz
CoilsCoils
50, 16.66, 13, 50, 16.66, 13, 10, 8.33 & 10, 8.33 &
4Hz4Hz
2 min. EEG under 2 min. EEG under stimulation, stimulation,
1 min. field-off EEG1 min. field-off EEG
““Mobile phone 'talk mode' Mobile phone 'talk mode' signal de lays EEG-signal de lays EEG-
determined sleep onset”determined sleep onset”
Natural:Natural:Mobile Mobile
Phone De Phone De vicevice
2 & 8Hz.2 & 8Hz.
EEG recording whilst EEG recording whilst exposure to talk, lis exposure to talk, lis
ten, standby and ten, standby and sham (nil signal) sham (nil signal)
randomly, for 30 min. randomly, for 30 min. In the next 90 min is a In the next 90 min is a
sleep opportunity.sleep opportunity.
II. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP AND PROTOCOLII. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP AND PROTOCOL
Name of the StudyName of the StudyEEG Recording EEG Recording
SystemSystem
““Frequency-specific Frequency-specific responses in the responses in the
human brain human brain caused by caused by
electromagnetic electromagnetic fields”fields”
10/2010/20 (C3, C4, P3, P4, (C3, C4, P3, P4,
O1 & O2)O1 & O2)
In each subject, the magnetic field In each subject, the magnetic field altered ongoing brain activity at the altered ongoing brain activity at the frequency of stimulation from one frequency of stimulation from one or more electrodes. The effect was or more electrodes. The effect was
more likely at 10 Hz compared with more likely at 10 Hz compared with 1.5 Hz. Namely, significant increase 1.5 Hz. Namely, significant increase
in 10-Hz (alpha) EEG power was in 10-Hz (alpha) EEG power was registered.registered.
Name of the StudyName of the StudyEEG Recording EEG Recording
SystemSystem
““Influence of an Influence of an alternating 3Hz alternating 3Hz magnetic field magnetic field
with an with an induction of 1 induction of 1 militesla on militesla on
chosen chosen parameters of parameters of
the human the human occipital EEG”occipital EEG”
10/20 (O1 & O2)10/20 (O1 & O2)
Significant differences were found Significant differences were found between sham and real exposure between sham and real exposure
for the relative spectral amplitudes for the relative spectral amplitudes of theta and beta band and of theta and beta band and
theta/beta ratio. Namely, theta/beta theta/beta ratio. Namely, theta/beta ratio becomes almost 6% higher ratio becomes almost 6% higher over the left occiput after turning over the left occiput after turning
on the field.on the field.
RESULTSRESULTSIII. EEG FeaturesIII. EEG Features
RESULTSRESULTSIII. EEG FeaturesIII. EEG Features
Name of the StudyName of the StudyEEG Recording EEG Recording
SystemSystem
““Preliminary Preliminary analysis of the analysis of the effects of DTX effects of DTX mobile phone mobile phone
emissions on theemissions on thehuman EEG”human EEG”
Both scalp and Both scalp and implanted implanted (foramen (foramen
ovale) ovale) electrodeselectrodes
Significant increases and decreases in Significant increases and decreases in EEG power spectral density were EEG power spectral density were registered at various brainwave registered at various brainwave frequencies. frequencies. The most consistent The most consistent results were demonstrated by the results were demonstrated by the
increase in electrical activity in the increase in electrical activity in the gamma band due to EMF exposure.gamma band due to EMF exposure.
Name of the StudyName of the StudyEEG Recording EEG Recording
SystemSystem
““Alterations in Alterations in human EEG human EEG
activity caused activity caused by extremely by extremely low frequency low frequency
electromagnetic electromagnetic fields”fields”
Montage of 16 Montage of 16 channels.channels.
Left: Fp1, F7, Left: Fp1, F7, F3,T7, C3, F3,T7, C3, P7, P3 & O1. P7, P3 & O1.
Right: Fp2, Right: Fp2, F8, F4, T8, F8, F4, T8, C4, P8, P4 & C4, P8, P4 &
O2.O2. The results indicate that there was a The results indicate that there was a
significant increase in Alpha1, significant increase in Alpha1, Alpha2, and Beta1 at the frontal Alpha2, and Beta1 at the frontal brain region, and a significant brain region, and a significant
decrease in Alpha2 band in parietal decrease in Alpha2 band in parietal and occipital region due to EMF and occipital region due to EMF
exposure.exposure.
RESULTSRESULTSIII. EEG FeaturesIII. EEG Features
Name of the StudyName of the Study EEG Recording SystemEEG Recording System
““Mobile phone 'talk mode' signal Mobile phone 'talk mode' signal delays EEG-determined sleep delays EEG-determined sleep
onset”onset”
Bipolar EEGs (F3–C3; Bipolar EEGs (F3–C3; F4–C4; C3–P3; C4–P4; F4–C4; C3–P3; C4–P4;
P3–O1; P4–O2).P3–O1; P4–O2).
Post-exposure, sleep latency after talk mode was markedly Post-exposure, sleep latency after talk mode was markedly and significantly delayed beyond listen and sham modes. and significantly delayed beyond listen and sham modes. This condition effect over time was also quite evident in This condition effect over time was also quite evident in 1–4 Hz EEG frontal power, which is a frequency range 1–4 Hz EEG frontal power, which is a frequency range particularly sensitive to sleep onset. Namely, particularly sensitive to sleep onset. Namely, EEG delta EEG delta
power increased significantly in the second 10 min period power increased significantly in the second 10 min period after listen and sham exposures, the third period after after listen and sham exposures, the third period after
standby exposure, but for no period after talk exposure.standby exposure, but for no period after talk exposure.
ALL OF THE ALL OF THE STUDIES STUDIES
DEMONSTRATE DEMONSTRATE CHANGES IN CHANGES IN
RECORDED EEG RECORDED EEG SIGNALS UNDER SIGNALS UNDER
THE EMF THE EMF INFLUENCEINFLUENCE
CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS
I.I. THE STUDIESTHE STUDIESTIME-SPAN: TIME-SPAN: 13 years (1994 – 2007).13 years (1994 – 2007). The period of occurrence The period of occurrence
corresponds corresponds to the period of GSM industry expansion.
LOCATION: 3 different continents.THE RARE AND INFREQUENT STUDIES REVEAL UNORGANIZED AND
UNSYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO THIS PROBLEM.
II. PARTICIPANTSII. PARTICIPANTS
Similar age group -> 27 years Similar age group -> 27 years Similar physiological conditions -> Healthy individuals; Similar physiological conditions -> Healthy individuals;
Similar mental conditions -> Awake individuals.Similar mental conditions -> Awake individuals.
NONE OF THESE STUDIES INCLUDE CHILDREN AS A TARGET GROUPNONE OF THESE STUDIES INCLUDE CHILDREN AS A TARGET GROUP. .
CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS
III. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP AND PROTOCOLIII. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP AND PROTOCOL PROTOCOL IN MOST OF THE STUDIES WAS UNIFORM USING ARTIFICIAL MEANS FOR EMF PRODUCTION. HOWEVER, THE
PROTOCOL FOR INVESTIGATION AND THE EEG MONTAGE DIFFER CONSIDERABLY IN EACH OF THE STUDIES.
IV. EEG CHANGESIV. EEG CHANGES
ALL STUDIES DEMONSTRATE CONSIDERABLE CHANGES IN EEG POWER SPECTRUM UNDER ELF EMF. HOWEVER, EVIDENCED CHANGES ARE
DIFFERENT FROM EACH OTHER IN EACH OF THE STUDIES.
NEUROMATH Meeting, Rome, Italy, 2007NEUROMATH Meeting, Rome, Italy, 2007
DISCUSSIONDISCUSSION
THE CHANGES IN EEG MAY HAPPEN DUE TO:
-THE DIFFERENCES IN THE PROTOCOL;THE DIFFERENCES IN THE PROTOCOL;
- EACH SUBJECT RESPONDS DIFFERENTLY TO THE EACH SUBJECT RESPONDS DIFFERENTLY TO THE INFLUENCE OF THESE FREQUENCIES, BECAUSE IN EACH INFLUENCE OF THESE FREQUENCIES, BECAUSE IN EACH
SUBJECT THE INTERFERENCE BETWEEN ELF EMF AND SUBJECT THE INTERFERENCE BETWEEN ELF EMF AND EEG FREQUENCIES HAPPENS AT A DIFFERENT LEVEL. EEG FREQUENCIES HAPPENS AT A DIFFERENT LEVEL.
ESPECIALLY IN PATIENTS WITH DISORDERS RELATED TO ESPECIALLY IN PATIENTS WITH DISORDERS RELATED TO DIFFERENT AROUSALS, THE EFFECTS CAN DIFFER DIFFERENT AROUSALS, THE EFFECTS CAN DIFFER
CONSIDERABLY (IN THE SENSE OF BEING BENEFICIAL CONSIDERABLY (IN THE SENSE OF BEING BENEFICIAL OR HARMFUL).OR HARMFUL).
THERE IS NEED FOR MORE SPECIFIC AND STANDARDIZED INVESTIGATIONS.