Abstract

Overview

Ten adult patients with electromagnetic hypersensitivity underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans, all revealing abnormalities described as consistent and similar, suggesting a potential diagnostic use for fMRI in detecting this condition.

Introduction

• Increasing cases of patients developing multisystem complaints from long-term EMF exposure, showing symptoms such as headaches, cognitive issues, and EMF sensitivity.
• Standard laboratory tests typically returned normal results for these individuals.
• PET and SPECT scans were not conducted due to patient refusal to be exposed to radioactivity, leading to the use of fMRI.

Materials and Methods

MRI scans were performed using a 3 Tesla Siemens Verio MRI system, followed by a functional MRI study in a resting state to map various brain networks and activities.

Findings

All patients exhibited similar abnormalities in their fMRI results, primarily showing hyperconnectivity in the medial orbitofrontal area of the brain, which regular MRI scans did not detect.

Conclusion

The study supports using functional MRI to diagnose electromagnetic hypersensitivity, especially when other medical tests are normal. Notably, the fMRI anomalies may also relate to previous head injuries or exposure to neurotoxic chemicals, potentially predisposing individuals to EHS.