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A Prospective Cohort Study of Adolescents’ Memory Performance and Individual Brain Dose of Microwave Radiation from Wireless Communication.
- Source :
-
Environmental Health Perspectives . Jul2018, Vol. 126 Issue 7, p077007-1-077007-13. 13p. 3 Charts, 3 Graphs. - Publication Year :
- 2018
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Abstract
- BACKGROUND: The potential impact of microwave radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) emitted by wireless communication devices on neurocognitive functions of adolescents is controversial. In a previous analysis, we found changes in figural memory scores associated with a higher cumulative RF-EMF brain dose in adolescents. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to follow-up our previous results using a new study population, dose estimation, and approach to controlling for confounding from media usage itself. METHODS: RF-EMF brain dose for each participant was modeled. Multivariable linear regression models were fitted on verbal and figural memory score changes over 1 y and on estimated cumulative brain dose and RF-EMF related and unrelated media usage (n=669–676). Because of the hemispheric lateralization of memory, we conducted a laterality analysis for phone call ear preference. To control for the confounding of media use behaviors, a stratified analysis for different media usage groups was also conducted. RESULTS: We found decreased figural memory scores in association with an interquartile range (IQR) increase in estimated cumulative RF-EMF brain dose scores: −0.22 (95% CI: −0.47, 0.03; IQR: 953 mJ/kg per day) in the whole sample, −0.39 (95% CI: −0.67, −0.10; IQR: 953 mJ/kg per day) in right-side users (n=532), and −0.26 (95% CI: −0.42, −0.10; IQR: 341 mJ/kg per day) when recorded network operator data were used for RF-EMF dose estimation (n=274). Media usage unrelated to RF-EMF did not show significant associations or consistent patterns, with the exception of consistent (nonsignificant) positive associations between data traffic duration and verbal memory. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings for a cohort of Swiss adolescents require confirmation in other populations but suggest a potential adverse effect of RF-EMF brain dose on cognitive functions that involve brain regions mostly exposed during mobile phone use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00916765
- Volume :
- 126
- Issue :
- 7
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Environmental Health Perspectives
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 131290159
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP2427