EFFECTS OF PULSED HIGH-FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC-FIELDS ON THE NEUROENDOCRINE SYSTEM

The influence of pulsed high-frequency electromagnetic fields emitted from a circularly polarized antenna on the neuroendocrine system in he althy humans was investigated (900 MHz electromagnetic field, pulsed w ith 217 Hz, average power density 0.02 mW/cm(2)). Nocturnal hormone pr ofiles of growth hormone (GH), cortisol, luteinizing hormone (LH) and melatonin were determined under polysomnographic control. An alteratio n in the hypothalamopituitary-adrenal axis activity was found with a s light, transient elevation in the cortisol serum level immediately aft er onset of field exposure which persisted for 1 h. For GH, LH and mel atonin, no significant effects were found under exposure to the field compared to the placebo condition, regarding both total hormone produc tion during the entire night and dynamic characteristics of the secret ion pattern. Also the evaluation of the sleep EEG data revealed no sig nificant alterations under field exposure, although there was a trend to an REM suppressive effect. The results indicate that weak high-freq uency electromagnetic fields have no effects on nocturnal hormone secr etion except for a slight elevation in cortisol production which is tr ansient, pointing to an adaptation of the organism to the stimulus.