Mobile phone waves 'may combat effects of Alzheimer's disease'

Published on Wednesday 6 January 2010 21:34

CHATTING on a mobile phone may protect against Alzheimer's and even reverse the disease.

Scientists say mice with Alzheimer's have been effectively cured after being exposed to the electromagnetic waves produced by mobile phones, paving the way for a possible drug-free treatment.

Sticky brain deposits of a harmful protein linked to the disease were erased, and the animals' thinking ability and memory returned to normal levels.

The study involved 96 mice placed in cages around a centrally located antenna generating the phone signal.

If exposure began when the Alzheimer's-prone mice were young adults – prior to any signs of memory impairment – their mental abilities were protected. They continued to perform as well on memory and thinking-skills tests as animals without dementia.

Older Alzheimer's mice already affected by the disease lost their memory impairment.

Months of mobile phone signal exposure even gave the memories of normal mice an extra boost.

Translated to humans, the tests suggest that it would take years for constant use of mobile phones to have a similar effect.

But the researchers in the United States believe exposure to mobile phone-type electromagnetic radiation could be an effective, drug-free way to prevent and treat Alzheimer's in humans.

Study leader Professor Gary Arendash, of the University of South Florida, said: "It surprised us to find cell phone exposure, begun in early adulthood, protects the memory of mice otherwise destined to develop Alzheimer's symptoms.

"It was even more astonishing that the electromagnetic waves generated by cell phones actually reversed memory impairment in old Alzheimer's mice."

The scientists, who published the findings in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, are investigating whether different sets of electromagnetic frequencies and strengths produce more rapid or greater benefits.

Dr Susanne Sorensen of the Alzheimer's Society said: "The research used advanced memory tests and the results are both exciting and quite convincing.

"However, a lot more work is needed before we can say anything about the possible preventative or treatment effects of this type of radiation on people with Alzheimer's disease."