Monday July 28, 204 (foodconsumer.org) -- A recent study confirms results from previous studies that long term use of cell phones can increase risk of developing brain tumors.  

Another study in Neurological Research now suggests that exposure to cell phone radiation can induce anxiety and result in poor learning ability, which were observed along with decreased antioxidant capacity, and increased formation of neurodegenerative cells in the brain.

In the study, rats aged 30 days were exposed to 900 MHz radio waves emitted from a cell phone set for four hours a day for 15 days.  

After the exposure, the effects of cell phone radiofrequency on anxiety, spatial learning and memory were study using tests including open field tests, elevated plus maze, Morris water maze and classic maze test.  In addition, brain antioxidant status was determined and neuronal damage was assessed using Crestyl violet staining.

As a result, a significant change in behavior such as anxiety and poor learning was observed in rats exposed to cell phone radiofrequency, compared with control rats.

Rats exposed to cell phone radiofrequency had reduced their antioxidant enzymes and non-enzymatic antioxidants significantly and increased lipid peroxidation.

Histologically as indicated in the Cresyl violet staining test, substantial enrodegenerative cells showed up in hippocampal sub regions - selective areas of CA1, CA3, DG and cerebral cortex. 

The authors concluded "This extensive neuronal damage results in alterations in behavior related to memory and learning."

Comment: The study suggests that even though use of cell phones does not necessarily cause brain tumors in all users, caution needs to be exercised because the radio waves regardless of the dose can cause some damage to the brain.  (David Liu)

Reference: Saikhedkar N, Bhatnagar M, Jain A, Sukhwal P, Sharma C, Jaiswal N.  Effects of mobile phone radiation (900 MHz radiofrequency) on structure and functions of rat brain.  Neurol Res. 2014 May 26

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