'Cell phones may stave off Alzheimer's disease'

American scientists have claimed talking on mobile phones can actually improve one's memory and help fight against Alzheimer's disease, contrary to earlier findings that over use of the electronic gadgets may cause brain cancer.

The new study carried out on mice by researchers at South Florida University in the United States suggests that exposure to radiation from the devices had a beneficial effect on the mind and could even reverse the effects of Alzheimer's.

"It surprised us to find that cell phone exposure, begun in early adulthood, protects the memory of mice otherwise destined to develop Alzheimer's symptoms," said lead researcher Professor Gary Arendash.

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

According to the researchers, human skulls are also much thicker than mice and this could prevent the waves from impregnating the brain.

"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 Prof Arendash.

The research found that exposing old mice with Alzheimer's to electromagnetic waves generated by mobiles seem to erase brain deposits of a harmful protein called beta-amyloid that silt up the workings of the mind, The Telegraph reported.

The study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, involved 96 mice -- some of which were genetically altered to develop memory problems mimicking Alzheimer's as they aged.

Both the normal rodents and those with Alzheimer's were exposed to the electromagnetic field generated by standard mobiles use for two one-hour periods each day for seven to nine months.

The Alzheimer's mice performed as well on tests measuring memory and thinking skills such as negotiating a maze as aged mice without dementia.

Months of exposure even boosted the memories of normal mice to above normal levels.

But the memory benefits of exposure took months to show up -- suggesting a similar effect in humans would take years of usage, the study found.

Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, however, said more research was needed to see if it would be effective on humans.

"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," she said.

"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," she added.

The findings contradicted earlier studies that claimed excess use of mobile phones can cause Alzheimer's and brain cancer.

Photograph: Morteza Nikoubazl / Reuters