Effects of short term and long term Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Field on depressive disorder in mice: Involvement of nitric oxide pathway.
Madjid Ansari A, Farzampour S, Sadr A, Shekarchi B, Majidzadeh-A K. · 2016
View Original AbstractLong-term magnetic field exposure at 0.5 mT altered brain chemistry and behavior in mice, proving these fields are biologically active.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed mice to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (the type generated by power lines and electrical appliances) to study effects on depression-like behavior. They found that short-term exposure (2 hours) had no effect, but long-term exposure (2 hours daily for 2 weeks) actually reduced depressive symptoms in the mice. The study suggests this effect may work through changes in nitric oxide levels in the brain.
Why This Matters
This study adds to growing evidence that ELF magnetic fields can alter brain function and behavior, even at relatively low exposure levels. The 0.5 mT exposure used here is comparable to what you might experience standing directly under high-voltage power lines, though much higher than typical household exposures (which range from 0.01-0.2 mT). What's particularly noteworthy is that the researchers identified a potential biological mechanism involving nitric oxide pathways in the brain. While this study suggests a potentially beneficial effect on depression, the reality is that any biological effect demonstrates that these fields are bioactive. The science demonstrates that ELF magnetic fields can cross the blood-brain barrier and influence neurochemistry. What this means for you is that chronic exposure to elevated magnetic fields isn't biologically neutral, regardless of whether specific effects appear positive or negative in isolated studies.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 0.5 mG
- Source/Device
- 50 Hz
- Exposure Duration
- 2 h and 2 weeks 2 h a day
Exposure Context
This study used 0.5 mG for magnetic fields:
- 25Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 5Kx 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
we aimed to assess the possible effect(s) of ELF MF exposure on mice Forced Swimming Test (FST) and evaluate the probable role of the increased level of nitric oxide in the observed behavior.
Male adult mice NMRI were recruited to investigate the short term and long term ELF MF exposure (0.5...
According to the results, short term exposure did not alter the immobility time, whereas long term e...
It has been concluded that long term exposure could alter the depressive disorder in mice, whereas short term exposure has no significant effect. Also, reversing the anti-depressant activity of L-NAME indicates a probable increase in the brain nitric oxide.
Show BibTeX
@article{a_2016_effects_of_short_term_680,
author = {Madjid Ansari A and Farzampour S and Sadr A and Shekarchi B and Majidzadeh-A K.},
title = {Effects of short term and long term Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Field on depressive disorder in mice: Involvement of nitric oxide pathway.},
year = {2016},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002432051530148X},
}