After-effect induced by microwave radiation in human electroencephalographic signal: a feasibility study

Abstract

Purpose: This feasibility study is aimed to clarify the possibility of detection of microwave radiation (MWR)-induced event related potential (ERP) in electroencephalographic (EEG) signal.

Methods: To trigger onset and offset effects in EEG, repetitive MWR stimuli were used. Four 30-channel EEG recordings on a single subject were performed, each about one month apart. The subject was exposed to 450 MHz MWR modulated at 40 Hz at the 1 g peak spatial average specific absorption rate of 0.3 W/kg. During a recording, 40 cycles of 30 s on–off MWR exposure were used. The artifact-free responses to 126 MWR-ON stimuli and 134 MWR-OFF stimuli were averaged over stimuli and channels.

Results: Regarding EEG signals locked to MWR-OFF stimulus, the enhanced signal level at alpha frequency band and about twice higher signal to noise ratio at 200 to 440 ms after the stimulus have been detected. No remarkable response in EEG signals locked to MWR-ON stimulus.

Conclusions: The detection of offset effect confirms that there should be an imprint generated by MWR in brain. The results of this preliminary study provide evidence for the detection of MWR-induced ERP in EEG signal and encourage further research in this direction.

Keywords:

• Event related potential
• microwave radiation
• EEG
• resting potential

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The research was funded partly by the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research under Institutional Research financing IUT 19-2, by the European Regional Development Fund under the Estonian Centre of Excellence in IT (EXCITE) and by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) within the framework of COST Action EMF-MED.

Notes on contributors

Maie Bachmann

Maie Bachmann, PhD, is Professor of Biosignals Processing.

Laura Päeske

Laura Päeske, PhD student, has experience in recording and processing EEG signals.

Andreas A. Ioannides

Andreas A. Ioannides, PhD, Professor, has experience in physics and neuroscience, Director of the Laboratory of Human Brain Dynamics, AAI Scientific Cultural Services Ltd, Cyprus.

Jaanus Lass

Jaanus Lass, PhD, senior research fellow, is experienced in biomedical engineering.

Hiie Hinrikus

Hiie Hinrikus, PhD, DSc, Professor Emeritus, has experience in radio physics, microwave and biomedical engineering.