Effects of Mobile Electromagnetic Exposure on Brain Oscillations and Cortical Excitability: Scoping Review

Authors: Torkan A, Zoghi M, Foroughimehr N, Yavari A, Jaberzadeh S

Year: 2025

Category: Neuroscience

Journal: Sensors

DOI: 10.3390/s25092749

URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/9/2749

Abstract

Overview

With the widespread adoption of smartphones, concerns about increased exposure to non-ionizing radiofrequency have emerged. This scoping review examines the effects of mobile phone exposure on neural oscillations and cortical excitability, focusing on both motor and non-motor regions of the cerebral cortex.

A comprehensive review identified seventy-eight studies involving healthy individuals that utilized electroencephalography (EEG), and only two studies investigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as primary technical tools.

Findings

  • Mobile phone exposure may affect brain oscillations and cortical excitability.
  • The review finds that mobile electromagnetic (EM) exposure can induce changes in brain oscillations, primarily increasing the amplitude of alpha, beta, theta, and delta bands (especially in the eyes closed condition).
  • Mobile EM exposure may enhance cortical silent period (CSE) due to strengthened facilitator mechanisms and weakened inhibitory mechanisms.
  • There are significant inconsistencies in experimental methods across studies, limiting definitive conclusions.
  • Research on fifth-generation (5G) technology, especially mmWave exposure from next-gen networks, is limited and requires urgent exploration.

Conclusions

  • Findings support the connection between EMF exposure and measurable changes in neural activity, underlining the need to revise current safety guidelines such as SAR limits, and to utilize neurophysiological EEG and TMS metrics in exposure assessments.
  • 5G technology’s use of higher frequency mmWave bands (>24 GHz) could present unique tissue and neural interaction risks, highlighting the necessity for precautionary actions until robust evidence is gathered.
  • Recommendations include: more research on 5G effects, study designs that account for age and gender differences, refinement of methodologies, and standardization of exposure/control conditions and technical parameters in experimental studies.

There is a clear call to enhance the quality of future research and to address the health risks associated with EMF exposure.

electromagnetic fields mobile phone exposure brain oscillations cortical excitability EEG 5G radiofrequency safety
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