SCAMP - Study of Cognition, Adolescents and Mobile Phones
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Secondary School Cohort Study of Mobile Phone Use and Neurocognitive and Behavioural Outcomes
IRAS ID
150360
Contact name
Mireille B. Toledano
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Research summary
In the UK, approximately 70% of 1112 year olds own a mobile phone. Scientists remain uncertain as to whether children’s developing brains might be more vulnerable than adults to radio wave exposures to the head from mobile phones. This 3 year study will follow a group of ~2,500 secondary school children to investigate whether children’s use of mobile phones and/or other technologies that use radio waves e.g. portable landline phones and wireless internet, might affect their neurocognitive (e.g. language comprehension, memory, attention) or behavioural development (e.g. anxiety and hyperactivity). \n\nThe study will be conducted in year 7 children (ages 1112 years) from ~25 schools across outer London, with follow up in year 9 (ages 1314 years). Parents will give consent and complete a questionnaire. Children will undertake a computer assessment conducted at their school, including how fast and accurately they can complete cognitive tasks; as well as questions on use of mobile phones, other radio frequency technologies and lifestyle. Information on phone usage will also be obtained via mobile phone companies and from smartphone apps.\n\nThis research will enable review of current UK health policy precautionary advice to limit children’s mobile phone use, which has not been updated for over a decade. With an improved understanding of UK children’s radio frequency exposures from mobile phones and other radio frequency technologies, specific ways to reduce exposure levels may be identified to provide targeted advice to parents and children as appropriate. \n\nThis study is commissioned by the Department of Health via the Research Initiative on Health and Mobile\nTelecommunications (RIHMT), an independent programme of research that is jointly funded by government and industry, and is managed through the Department of Health’s Policy Research Programme. [COVID-19 Amendment 22/05/2020] There have been low levels of community testing for COVID-19 in the UK, making it difficult for scientists to predict prevalence and disease transmission. We propose to conduct widespread antibody testing in the SCAMP cohort (N~5,000) and their households (N~20,000) in order to improve scientific models and assess disease transmission in London. We will also conduct an on-going survey in the SCAMP cohort, to assess impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent behaviour and health, in response to key changes in public health measures (e.g. during lockdown, and when they go back to school). For health and safety reasons, and to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, all data collection will take place remotely in participants own homes.\n
REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NW/0347
Date of REC Opinion
15 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion