Effects of exposure to an extremely low frequency electromagnetic field on hippocampal long-term potentiation in rat.
Komaki A, Khalili A, Salehi I, Shahidi S, Sarihi A. · 2014
View Original AbstractChronic power-line frequency EMF exposure altered fundamental brain learning mechanisms in rats at levels comparable to some household exposures.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed rats to power line frequency electromagnetic fields (50 Hz) for 90 days and found it enhanced the brain's ability to form memories in the hippocampus. This suggests chronic EMF exposure can alter fundamental brain functions, though long-term health implications remain unknown.
Why This Matters
This study adds to growing evidence that extremely low frequency EMFs can alter fundamental brain processes. The 100 microtesla exposure level is significant because it's within range of what you might experience living near power lines or using certain household appliances for extended periods. What makes this research particularly noteworthy is that it demonstrates measurable changes in synaptic plasticity - the very foundation of learning and memory - after chronic exposure. While enhanced LTP might sound beneficial, we don't know the long-term consequences of artificially altered brain plasticity. The reality is that our brains evolved without constant exposure to these artificial electromagnetic fields, and any deviation from normal neural function warrants serious attention and further research.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 0.1 mG
- Source/Device
- 50 Hz
- Exposure Duration
- 90 consecutive days (2 h/day)
Exposure Context
This study used 0.1 mG for magnetic fields:
- 5Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 1Kx above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 1 mG
Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.
Where This Falls on the Concern Scale
Study Details
In the present study, we investigated whether ELF-EMFs can change induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) and paired-pulse ratio (PPR) in the rat hippocampal area.
Twenty-nine adult male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups (ELF-EMF exposed, sham and control gro...
LTP in hippocampal area was induced by high-frequency stimulation (HFS). Prolonged exposure to ELF-E...
In conclusion, our data suggest that exposure to ELF-EMFs produces a marked change in the synaptic plasticity generated in synapses of the PP-DG. No significant difference in PPR of ELF-EMF group before and after HFS suggests a postsynaptic expression site of LTP.
Show BibTeX
@article{a_2014_effects_of_exposure_to_267,
author = {Komaki A and Khalili A and Salehi I and Shahidi S and Sarihi A. },
title = {Effects of exposure to an extremely low frequency electromagnetic field on hippocampal long-term potentiation in rat.},
year = {2014},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006899314004193},
}