The health effects of cell phones have been debated for several years. This week, a new study from the National Institute of Health adds new data to the discussion, indicating that 50 minutes of cell phone use can impact the brain.

Specifically, it reports that those exposed to 50 minutes of cell phone radio frequencies had increased brain glucose metabolism in the part of the brain closest to the antenna.

The study, which looked at 47 individuals, took place between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 in 2009.

Nora D. Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, says it's too early to draw any clear conclusions from the study, according to a report on the matter in The Washington Post. The article quoted her as saying: "The brain is very important and if you ask what my recommendation is from this study, I'd say I can't overall say this is harmful but we have to study more for long-term effects." 

How cell phone use impacts our bodies is an important area of study, and is growing more important considering the number of us that use cell phones and the increase in use of such devices. It's been a thorn in the side of wireless organizations like the CTIA, of course, which has fought against rules related to this. The FCC and FDA actually are in charge of rules around this, but consumer groups have criticized their lack of action on this front.