Scientists discover link between cell phones and brain cells

Can cell phones fry your brain? A brand new study suggests they might. The research found an increase in brain cell metabolism in regions of the brain closest to the cellular phone antenna. Scientists confirmed that electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones has an impact on brain cells, however not if the effects are harmful.

Mobile phone brain cell study first done

On Tuesday, the first study on how electromagnetic radiation from cell phones impacts the cells in the brain was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The research focused on how cell phone use impacts normal brain cell function, known as glucose metabolism. Researchers found that exposure to cell phones increases the rate of glucose metabolism in brain cells more than they expected. Brain activity is a result of cells using glucose to create energy. Glucose is produced as needed in the brain. The study suggests that cell phone use stimulates glucose metabolism artificially, but further investigation is required to determine whether elevated amounts of glucose metabolism damage brain cells.

Brain cancer due to cellular phone usage?

Cellular phone radiation from frequent calling has concerned medical experts for years. Previous test results have been inconclusive. Nothing has been found before. A link with brain cancer was found in famous cellular phone radiation studies. There wasn't any proof though. There was no way to link the brain cancer with the mobile phone use. DNA mutations or other mutations that end up causing cancer and dementia are things that scientists have tried to link mobile phone radiation to though. Another huge concern is the amount of use a child has with a cellular phone. The problem is the radiation penetrates deeper into the brain of a child with the thinner skull making brain cells metabolize glucose even faster.

Using speakerphone is a good idea

In a statement responding to the mobile phone brain cell study, the Wireless Association said scientific evidence proves that cellular phones, used within limits established by the FCC, don’t pose a public health risk. Study authors suggest that speaker phone and Bluetooth earpieces should be used until more is known on how mobile phone radiation affects the brain.

Citations

CNN

cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/02/22/cell.phone.brain.activity/

Web MD

webmd.com/brain/news/20110222/cell-phones-affect-brain-but-does-it-matter?page=2

Wall Street Journal

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704071304576160652541652440.html