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Smart Phones Making Us Stupid Says New Study
Telecom TV
Journalist:
Andrew Beutmueller
September 20, 2007

In yet another piece of new research into the possible effects of the RF radiation emanating from mobile phones and its effects on human physiology, it is now being alleged that the frequent use of mobile handsets can slow human brain function.

The study says there is evidence to suggest that Alpha and Theta brain wave activity and "Alpha Peak Frequency" are influenced by the heavy use of mobiles.

According to a joint statement from the Brainclinics Diagnostics, Radboud University in the Netherlands, the Institute of Psychiatry in London and the Brain Resource Company Ltd in Sydney, the research used an "epidemiological approach" to investigate the long-term effects of mobile phone use on the brains of 300 people. The study group was divided into 100 frequent mobile phone users, 100 non-mobile phone users and 100 "intermediate" users.

The differences in brain waves between the three groups were measured using a so-called "QEEG" or quantitative EEG wherein "attention, memory and executive function and personality traits were assessed."

On the upside the study says that subjects, despite the slowing of their brain functions, also demonstrated increased multitasking abilities. The research says this ability is probably the result of respondents being accustomed "to making phone calls in distractive surroundings."

Martin Arns, the lead investigator in the study cautions that "the slowing found in this study, with mobile phone users, can still be considered within 'normal' limits" but considering "the time of data collection - only 2.4 years on average which can currently be considered as a short time therefore, it is to be expected that the observed effects in this study can be more severe with prolonged mobile phone use."

Come again?

The researchers also point out that no "firm conclusions" can be drawn as to whether "this slowed brain activity is to be considered as an adverse health effect or not," until much larger groups of subjects are studies for a much longer period.

So is there any value whatsoever in this latest addition to a crowded and noisy corner of the mobile telephony funhouse? I'll leave it for you to make up your own minds, mine's too slow.

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