Yi-Ming Huang1, Jintai Yu2
1Capital Medical University, 2Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University
Objective:
As mobile phones become integral to daily life, their impact on brain health has drawn growing attention. Despite concerns, the relationship between mobile phone use and brain health, along with its underlying mechanisms, remains underexplored.
Background:
This study leverages data from 300,265 UK Biobank participants with over five years of follow-up to investigate the effects of mobile phone use on brain function and disorders.
Design/Methods:
We employed linear regression models to examine the associations between mobile phone use (status and duration) and cognitive function. Additionally, Cox regression models were used to assess the relationship between mobile phone use and the incidence of common brain disorders over time. Neuroimaging data were analyzed to explore the structural effects of mobile phone use, while exploratory biomarker analyses investigated potential mediators of the relationship.
Results:
The Cox regression analyses indicated that general mobile phone use may reduce the risk of stroke (HR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.87-0.97), dementia (HR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.78-0.88), Parkinson’s disease (PD) (HR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.74-0.91), and schizophrenia (HR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.25-0.57). However, extensive use exceeding three hours per week does not decrease the incidence of these conditions and may instead elevate the risk of major depressive disorder (MDD)[3-6h, (HR：1.20；95% CI：1.03-1.39); >6h, (HR：1.24；95% CI：1.06-1.44)]. Neuroimaging analyses identified significant associations between mobile phone use and critical brain regions, including the temporal cortex, parietal cortex, and hippocampus. Additionally, our exploratory analyses indicate that biomarkers including vitamin D levels, lymphocyte counts, and lipid metabolism might mediate the effects of mobile phone use on brain health.
Conclusions:
Moderate mobile phone use may provide protective benefits for brain health, while excessive use poses risks, particularly for mental health. These findings underscore the need for regulating mobile phone use to maximize its health benefits and minimize potential harms.
Disclaimer: Abstracts were not reviewed by Neurology® and do not reflect the views of Neurology® editors or staff.