Could This Be A Cure for Alzheimers?

    Awhile back, I posted a column casting doubt on the claims that cellphones cause brain cancer. Apart from well designed studies that found no evidence to support such claims, there are the simple facts of physics: cell phones emit low-energy electromagnetic (EM) radiation.  So low, in fact, that it's weaker than visible light. The probability of such radiation disrupting DNA seems very low indeed. I stand by that position.

   Now, however,  researchers at the University of South Florida  have published research suggesting that cell-phone radiation does have an effect in the brain -- a highly beneficial effect.  In mice, at least, it appears to cure Alzheimer's symptoms.

   In a news release published by ScienceDaily, lead author Gary Arendash is quoted as saying, "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."

  Fascinating, right? But wait, as they say in SlapChop ads,  that's not all!

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

  Astonishing indeed. What is going on here?  The scientists aren't sure. The benefits accrue to both the Alzheimer's afflicted mice and the normal-brained control mice, but the mechanisms appear different in each set.  The EM radiation appears to slightly warm the brains of afflicted mice, helping them lose the crud that clogs their memories. In the normal mice, something else seems to be going on. 

   So are these claims credible?

   On their face, yes. For starters, the research was conducted at the Florida Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, which presumably means they know something about the field, and was supported by a state organization affiliated with the National Institute on Aging -- as opposed to,  say, Verizon. 

   It was  published in a respected, peer-reviewed journal, the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. That's no guarantee of validity, but so far, so good.

   The study appears to have been well designed -- it had good controls and large enough numbers of subjects to make the results significant.  And yet,  it would be rash to actually strap a cellphone to your head (as depicted above) and call all your friends. 

   For one thing, the results of many animal studies do not translate to people.   For another, however convincing the study may look, it needs to be  replicated before we can really say it has scientific standing. And if it should prove true that EM radiation can prevent or even reverse Alzheimer's, there are surely cheaper and better ways to get it than by spending even more hours on the phone.

  Meantime, let's hope they don't find that texting all day prevents arthritis. I just couldn't bear it.

                                                                  *      *      *

  Writers need readers. If you like this, please pass it on!