Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Oct 30, 2025 10 hours, 47 minutes ago
Medical News: Sharp Rise in Memory Issues Reported in Sweden and Norway
A new study has uncovered an alarming rise in the number of children and teenagers experiencing memory problems in both Sweden and Norway over the past decade. Conducted by researchers from the Swedish Radiation Protection Foundation and the Environment and Cancer Research Foundation in Örebro, the investigation compared national healthcare data and revealed a sharp escalation in cases of cognitive impairment among children aged 5 to 19 years. According to this
Medical News report, the findings point to a nearly ninefold increase in medical consultations for memory issues in Norway and a sixtyfold rise in similar diagnoses in Sweden since 2010.
A new study links rising memory problems in Nordic children to increased exposure from wireless technology and 5G networks, warning of potential long-term brain health risks.
Rapid Increase Coincides with Growing Wireless Exposure
The research team, led by Mona Nilsson (BSc) and Dr. Lennart Hardell (MD, PhD), observed that the surge in cognitive complaints closely matches the timeline of increased exposure to radiofrequency (RF) radiation from smartphones, Wi-Fi routers, and mobile networks, particularly following the introduction of 5G technology in 2019–2020. They note that children’s daily screen and mobile usage have grown exponentially during the same period, with many teenagers now using mobile devices for over three hours a day. This rise in RF exposure could be a contributing factor to the growing number of children seeking medical help for memory lapses and attention problems.
Data Shows Consistent Patterns in Both Countries
In Norway, the number of consultations for memory disturbances jumped from 179 per 100,000 children in 2006 to over 1,500 in 2024—an eight-and-a-half-fold increase. In Sweden, the situation was equally concerning, with cases of mild cognitive impairment (coded R41.8) rising from less than one per 100,000 in 2010 to more than 51 per 100,000 in 2024. The researchers highlighted that this rapid escalation could not be explained by changes in diagnostic practices, suggesting that environmental and technological factors should be investigated as potential causes.
Evidence Linking Radiation to Brain and Memory Function
The study draws on decades of prior research showing that exposure to microwave RF radiation can affect the brain’s hippocampus—the region responsible for learning and memory. Laboratory experiments on animals have revealed that even low levels of RF radiation, far below international safety limits, can damage brain cells, impair learning, and reduce memory capacity. Human studies have similarly shown that teenagers who use mobile phones heavily tend to perform worse in memory-related tasks, and that the mere presence of a smartphone can reduce concentration and recall abilities. The researchers also cited reports that individuals exposed to high 5G radiation near their homes or schools developed symptoms including fatigue, sleep problems, and memory decli
ne.
Researchers Call for Urgent Public Health Attention
Nilsson and Hardell emphasized that the increasing prevalence of memory impairment among young people should be treated as a serious public health warning. They urge authorities in both Sweden and Norway to recognize the possible role of escalating RF radiation exposure and to take precautionary steps to reduce children’s contact with wireless devices, especially in schools and daycares. They argue that the current international safety limits for RF radiation are outdated and based only on thermal (heating) effects, ignoring the biological and neurological risks demonstrated in newer studies.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Archives of Clinical and Biomedical Research (2025, Vol. 9, Issue 5, pp. 431–439) and were conducted by researchers from the Swedish Radiation Protection Foundation and the Environment and Cancer Research Foundation, Örebro, Sweden.
https://fortuneonline.org/abstract/increasing-numbers-of-children-aged-519-years-with-memory-problems-in-sweden-and-norway-6333.html
https://cdn.fortunejournals.com/articles/increasing-numbers-of-children-aged-5-19-years-with-memory-problems-in-sweden-and-norw-6333.pdf
The researchers concluded that the rise in cognitive and memory problems among children should prompt an immediate re-evaluation of exposure standards and encourage the adoption of safer technology practices in both homes and schools. With the next generation growing up in an environment saturated by wireless signals, the long-term health implications demand urgent and careful investigation.
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Medical News.
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