Mobile phones may improve memory and protect against Alzheimer's disease, scientists have discovered.
In one of the most unexpected scientific findings for some time,
researchers have found that the electromagnetic waves emitted by the
devices may improve cognitive function.
After years of health warnings about mobile phones, scientists in
Florida admit they were as surprised as anyone when their research
showed they might be good for the brain.
But they have enough confidence in their results to recommend that the
electromagnetic waves the phones emit should be "vigorously
investigated" as a memory enhancer and treatment for Alzheimer's.
Mobile phones have been suspected of causing problems ranging from ear
ache to brain cancer by raising the temperature of the head and
exposing cells to "oxidative stress".
Inquiries into their safety have been held, but no conclusive evidence of damage has been found.
Scientists
in the Department of Cell Biology at the University of South Florida
attempted to quantify the damaging effects by exposing mice to levels
of radiation similar to that emitted by mobile phones.
The mice received two one-hour doses, delivered in the morning and
afternoon each day, for up to eight months - equivalent to that of a
frequent mobile phone user.
Half of the mice were genetically engineered to have symptoms of
Alzheimer's disease. In them, exposure to the electromagnetic waves was
associated with disappearance of the "amyloid plaques" - protein
deposits in the brain - believed to be a cause of dementia. In the
younger mice, the electromagnetic waves prevented amyloid plaques
building up and had "beneficial cognitive effects".
The researchers, writing in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, suggest the waves may prevent plaques sticking together, forming clumps, or may stimulate the neurons.
Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said:
"This research has been carried out in mice that mimic some of the
symptoms of Alzheimer's in people, so we don't know if any similar
effects will be seen in humans.
"Although the researchers hope their findings will translate to people,
much more research is needed to find out if there could be any
beneficial effects of long-term exposure to electromagnetism, and to
guarantee its safety. We don't recommend spending 24 hours a day on a
mobile phone - we don't know the long-term effects, and bills could go
through the roof."
