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Synaptosomal acetylcholinesterase activity variation pattern in the presence of electromagnetic fields.

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Afrasiabi A, Riazi GH, Abbasi S, Dadras A, Ghalandari B, Seidkhani H, Modaresi SM, Masoudian N, Amani A, Ahmadian S. · 2014

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EMF exposure altered brain enzyme activity that regulates memory and learning chemicals, suggesting a biological mechanism for cognitive effects.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed brain tissue samples from sheep to electromagnetic fields at power line frequencies (50-230 Hz) and found that certain field strengths reduced the activity of acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that breaks down the brain chemical acetylcholine. This enzyme is crucial for memory, learning, and cognitive function. The findings suggest that EMF exposure could potentially disrupt normal brain chemistry by affecting how neurotransmitters are regulated.

Why This Matters

This study reveals a concerning mechanism by which electromagnetic fields may interfere with brain function at the molecular level. Acetylcholinesterase plays a critical role in cognitive processes, and any disruption to its normal activity could have implications for memory, learning, and overall brain health. The field strengths used in this study (1.2-1.7 mT) are significantly higher than typical household exposures but within ranges that could occur near high-voltage power lines or certain industrial equipment. What makes this research particularly noteworthy is that it identifies a specific biochemical pathway through which EMFs might affect brain function, adding to the growing body of evidence suggesting that our nervous systems are sensitive to electromagnetic exposures. While the researchers optimistically suggest this could lead to treatments for certain brain disorders, the reality is that uncontrolled EMF exposure affecting brain chemistry should be a cause for concern, not therapeutic opportunity.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
0.1, 1.7 mG
Source/Device
50 Hz to 230 Hz
Exposure Duration
15 and 120 min

Exposure Context

This study used 0.1, 1.7 mG for magnetic fields:

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 Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.1, 1.7 mGExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the No Concern rangeFCC limit is 20,000x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 50 Hz - 230 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 50 Hz - 230 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

In this study, we investigated the effects of a wide range of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) on synaptic ACh concentrations through AChE enzyme activity assay.

Synaptosome suspensions were prepared as a neural terminus from cerebral cortex of sheep brain. Prep...

These curves showed that AChE activity decreases when exposed to ELF-EMFs of 1.2 mT to 1.7 mT intens...

More in vivo experiments are needed to develop this suggested treatment.

Cite This Study
Afrasiabi A, Riazi GH, Abbasi S, Dadras A, Ghalandari B, Seidkhani H, Modaresi SM, Masoudian N, Amani A, Ahmadian S. (2014). Synaptosomal acetylcholinesterase activity variation pattern in the presence of electromagnetic fields. Int J Biol Macromol. 65:8-15, 2014.
Show BibTeX
@article{a_2014_synaptosomal_acetylcholinesterase_activity_variation_588,
  author = {Afrasiabi A and Riazi GH and Abbasi S and Dadras A and Ghalandari B and Seidkhani H and Modaresi SM and Masoudian N and Amani A and Ahmadian S.},
  title = {Synaptosomal acetylcholinesterase activity variation pattern in the presence of electromagnetic fields.},
  year = {2014},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24418344/},
}
PubMed: 24418344

Cited By (13 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, research shows that power line frequencies between 50-90 Hz can reduce acetylcholinesterase activity in brain tissue. This enzyme breaks down acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter crucial for memory and learning. The study found significant effects at magnetic field strengths of 1.2-1.7 mT.
Research demonstrates that acetylcholinesterase activity decreases when brain tissue is exposed to extremely low frequency magnetic fields at 50-90 Hz frequencies and 1.2-1.7 mT intensity. This enzyme regulates acetylcholine levels, which are important for cognitive function and memory formation.
Researchers suggest that specific EMF frequencies (50-90 Hz) at 1.2-1.7 mT might help treat cholinergic disorders by reducing acetylcholinesterase activity. This would increase acetylcholine levels at brain synapses. However, more in vivo studies are needed before clinical applications.
Brain acetylcholinesterase activity decreases at magnetic field intensities between 1.2-1.7 mT when combined with frequencies of 50-90 Hz. This research used sheep brain tissue samples to demonstrate how specific EMF parameters can alter this important brain enzyme's function.
Studies show that electromagnetic fields up to 230 Hz can affect acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the brain. The most significant effects occurred at 50-90 Hz frequencies, suggesting EMF exposure could potentially disrupt normal neurotransmitter regulation patterns.