Research

Project Title:
The Effects of Radiofrequency Radiation on Brain Physiology and Function

Start Date:
February 2002

Expected Date of Completion:
January 2005

Cost:
£590,000

Principal Investigator:
Dr Zenon Sienkiewicz

Contact Details:
NRPB
Chilton
Didcot
OX11 0RQ

Project Team:
Professor James Uney, Bristol University Research Centre for Neuroendocrinology
Dr John Tattersall, Dstl Porton Down

Expertise:

The group consists of very experienced scientists from three research laboratories: Professor James Uney is Professor of Molecular Neuroscience at Bristol University Research Centre for Neuroendocrinology; Dr John Tattersall is Scientific Leader in Electrophysiology at Dstl Porton Down; and Dr Zenon Sienkiewicz is Prinicipal Scientific Officer at NRPB. Each has been working in their field for over 20 years, and has published many scientific papers. Tattersall and Sienkiewicz have been working on the biological effects of mobile phones for over 5 years. In addition, other colleagues and collaborators will provide specific expertise and backup in engineering, physics, and computer modelling.

Approach:

The project will investigate if the radiofrequency signals (microwaves) used by mobile phones can affect the brain and alter the way it works. To achieve this, the project will look for changes in the molecular control of brain cells, changes in the electrical activity within specific areas of the brain, and for changes in the performance of learning and memory tasks. This integrated study is not possible using people, and so will use mice. All work with animals will be subject to ethical approval and be regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

Potential Difficulties:

Previous results suggest that microwaves at the levels used by mobile phones may only cause small effects on the brain. It is therefore essential to eliminate as far as possible other potential influences that may mask or alter in some way the effects the microwaves are having. Another challenge is the controlled delivery of precise doses of microwaves.

Importance:

This will be the first attempt to investigate at the same time the effects of microwaves on the brain at different levels of biological organisation. The use of powerful molecular biology techniques enables the mechanisms through which microwaves may exert their effects to be examined, and so be compared to other physical, chemical or biological agents.