Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between frontal EEG characteristics and minutes of cellular phone use per month. In this study, 33 male volunteers (16 non-cell phone users and 17 cell phone users) were used. QEEG measurements at F3 and F4 were obtained from each participant, in addition to self-reported estimates of minutes of cell phone use per month. Correlation analyses of log transformed EEG variables with measures of cell phone use indicated statistically significant negative correlations. The negative relationships were between minutes per month of cell phone use and beta2 (21–32hz) absolute and relative power in the eyes open condition for both right and left hemispheres, and absolute power in the left hemisphere eyes closed condition. Cell phone user and non-user group comparison of EEG means also indicated that users had significantly lower beta2, absolute power for both eyes open and closed condition in both right and left hemispheres. The results indicate a highly speculative suggestion that excessive cellular phone use, or exposure to electromagnetic fields in that range (1900–220 MHz) can be a factor in beta2 range activity. Interestingly, previous experimental EEG findings report an increase in beta2 activity during cell phone exposure. The contradiction between this study and the previous experimental findings could be explained by the neuro-electromagnetic withdrawal theory (NEWT) in which the EEG patterns mimic substance addiction and withdrawal patterns. Further empirical investigation is needed to determine the potential after effects that may be related to cellular phone usage
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