Can your cell phone be your memory’s best friend?…According to the results of a surprising new study in mice, the answer may be ‘yes.’ The study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, provides the first evidence that long-term exposure to the electromagnetic waves produced by cell phones may protect against, and potentially even reverse, Alzheimer’s disease [1].
These results probably seem a little strange, especially since several studies in humans have linked exposure to “low-frequency” electromagnetic waves produced by power and telephone lines to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s [2]. However, some studies investigating short-term exposure to the “high-frequency” electromagnetic waves emitted by cell phones have reported small improvements in attention or memory (although not enough to affect daily life) [3].
In the current study, researchers from the University of South Florida discovered that when mice with Alzheimer’s were exposed to the electromagnetic field generated by long-term cell phone use, the sticky beta-amyloid plaques that had built up in their brains (a classic hallmark of Alzheimer’s) disappeared, as did their memory impairment. Long-term exposure to the waves also prevented the build-up of beta-amyloid proteins in younger mice genetically engineered to develop Alzheimer’s, protecting their cognitive function and delaying, or perhaps even protecting against, the onset of the disease. Even normal mice had their memories boosted to above-normal levels during the months of exposure.
The researchers speculated that these benefits stemmed from a slight increase in brain temperature that was recorded during the periods when the mice were exposed to the electromagnetic waves.
“Since we selected electromagnetic parameters that were identical to human cell phone use and tested mice in a task closely analogous to a human memory test, we believe our findings could have considerable relevance to humans,” said lead author Gary Arendash, PhD.
But, since the memory benefits of cell phone exposure took months to appear in the mice, a similar effect in humans could take years. It is also important to realize that the mouse model for Alzheimer’s used in this study lacks some of the physical characteristics of the disease as it is seen in humans, namely loss of neurons and formation of neurofibrillary tangles, so the therapeutic effects in humans may be very different.
There is still a lot more research to be done, but this study shows that novel, non-invasive ways to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s are out there, even in places we’d least expect them.
References:
1. Arendash GW, Sanchez-Ramos J, Mori T, et al. Electromagnetic field treatment protects against and reverses cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease mice. J Alzheimers Dis. 2010;19(1):191-210.
2. Garcıa A, Sisternas A, Hoyos S. Occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields and Alzheimer disease: a meta-analysis. Int J Epidemiol. 2008;37:329-340.
3. Barth A, Winker R, Ponocny-Seliger E, et al. A meta-analysis for neurobehavioural effects due to electromagnetic field exposure emitted by GSM mobile phones. Occup Environ Med. 2008;65:342-346.
