Abstract

Overview

With the increase in cell phone users, there's a heightened exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF), particularly in the brain, which may impair its function. This study specifically looks into how mobile phone radiation affects patients with epilepsy, who are already prone to electrical brain instabilities.

Objectives

The primary aim is to analyze the effects of mobile phone radiation on the electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns of both epileptic and healthy individuals.

Methodology

• Subjects: 30 patients with idiopathic epilepsy and 30 healthy controls.
• Procedure: EEG recording with 15 minutes of sham exposure, followed by 30 minutes of real exposure to mobile phone radiation and an additional 15 minutes post-exposure recording.
• Data Analysis: Counting the number of abnormal EEG events during both sham and real exposures and correlating these events with clinical data.

Findings

• No abnormal discharges in the control group under real exposure.
• In epileptic patients:
  • 33% with abnormal EEG during sham exposure showed an increase in events under real exposure.
  • One patient's EEG pattern changed from interictal to ictal rhythm.
  • A patient developed temporal epileptiform discharges post real exposure, who had normal EEG during sham exposure.

Conclusion

Distinct effects of mobile phone radiation on EEG patterns in epileptic patients were observed, suggesting a potential exacerbating role of EMF exposure. These findings highlight the necessity of further research and consideration for EMF's health implications in epileptic individuals.