Cellphone use affects brain activity after 50 minutes
New research shows cellphones excite the brain by stimulating glucose that
can affect decision making, and thinking and impair the senses.
Results of a new study reveals cellphones increase excitability in the brain.
The findings come from a team of researchers led by the director of the
National Institute of Drug Abuse, psychiatrist Nora D. Volkow, MD, showing
just 50 minutes of radiation exposure from a cell phone boosts glucose levels
in the brain that can alter genes and the way cells function.
The findings are published in the Journal of the American Medical
Association. The scientists, working with the non-profit group Environmental
Health Trust (EHT), say their research shows the need for cell phone
warnings, improved safety standards and ongoing research.
Ronald B. Herberman, M.D., chair of EHT’s Board, cancer biologist and
physician says “This stunning report indicates that even short-term exposure
to nerve cells from cell phones can increase glucose in the brain" that
indicates excitability. He says until larger studies are carried out, it's
important to take precautions to avoid exposure to cell phone radiation.
The researchers used PET scans to look at glucose and energy metabolism in
the brain to "see" the effects of non-ionizing radiation of the type
delivered by cell phones.
Richard A. Stein, M.D., Ph.D, EHT scientific advisor, explains, "As glucose
is the sole energy source in the brain under normal dietary conditions, and
there is an absolute requirement for glucose during synaptic transmission in
the nervous system, the results of the current study emerge as even more
significant.”
He notes the researchers aren't sure if changes in glucose metabolism are
caused directly from microwave radiation or as a secondary effect. Dr. Stein
says one thing is certain however - ... "the current study clearly reveals
changes in a pathway that is essential for brain energy metabolism and
synaptic transmission, and is intimately interconnected with other pathways
that fulfill fundamental roles in biological systems."
Lloyd Morgan, Senior Science Advisor to EHT, says cellphone company standards
fail to address any possible effect that cell phone microwave radiation could
have on the body, short or long-term. He says it's time they revised their
standards.
What the study shows is areas of the brain affected by cellphone radiation
and increased glucose are those "involved in thinking, sensing and decision
making, including repression of antisocial behavior.”
A 2008 study from Finnish researchers found forearm skin exposed to cell
phone radiation for one hour resulted in changes in 8 proteins in 10
volunteers and 2 proteins in two volunteers.
Dr. Devra Lee Davis, president and founder of Environmental Health Trust also
notes cellphone standards make assumptions about safety. In the current
study, phones with a SAR of less than 1 W/kg caused significant glucose
increases in the brain that indicates excitability.
Brain tumors have been a concern of scientists related to cell phone use, but
Dr. Davis says that's just the "tip of the iceberg". She wonders if the
brain's excitability from microwave exposure could explain addiction to cell
phones and notes it takes years of biological changes to see the long-term
impact.
The EHT is working within U.S., in Israel, France, Finland and other
countries to encourage independent cell phone safety studies and to spread
safety messages to users to take simple precautions like using speaker phone,
headsets, limiting call time and protecting children who may be more
vulnerable to the effects of radiation.
The study shows cell phone radiation induces brain excitability after just 50
minutes in areas that are critical for thinking and judgment. Until more
studies are carried out, Dr. Davis warns it may be misleading to science and
the public to conclude cell phones are safe.
原文：
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/303928
大意是說
若我們將手機開著並靜音放在耳朵旁50分鐘以後，
會造成腦部的葡萄糖代謝增加。
但代謝增加的原因是由手機發出的微波所造成，
抑或是有其他間接原因還不能知道。
但可以知道的是我們應該重新思考手機是否安全這件事。
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訪談：
http://www.npr.org/2011/02/25/134059267/cell-phone-radiation-affects-brain-stud
y-says ( http://0rz.tw/x0oHU )
論文：
http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/305/8/808.short
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