Static Magnetic Field Stimulation Enhances Oligodendrocyte Differentiation and Secretion of Neurotrophic Factors.
Prasad A, Teh DBL, Blasiak A, Chai C, Wu Y, Gharibani PM, Yang IH, Phan TT, Lim KL, Yang H, Liu X, All AH. · 2017
View Original AbstractModerate magnetic fields enhanced brain cell maturation and protective factor production in laboratory conditions, suggesting therapeutic potential.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed brain cells called oligodendrocytes to a moderate-strength magnetic field (0.3 Tesla) for two hours daily over two weeks. The magnetic field exposure enhanced the cells' ability to mature and produce protective substances for nerve fibers, while also increasing their release of growth factors that help brain cells survive and function. This suggests that certain magnetic field exposures might actually support brain cell health and repair processes.
Why This Matters
This study presents an intriguing counterpoint to concerns about magnetic field exposure by demonstrating beneficial effects on critical brain cells. The 0.3 Tesla exposure used here is significantly stronger than typical environmental magnetic fields (Earth's magnetic field is about 0.00005 Tesla) but comparable to some medical MRI applications. What makes this research particularly noteworthy is its focus on oligodendrocytes, which produce myelin that insulates nerve fibers and is crucial for proper brain function. The finding that magnetic fields can enhance these cells' maturation and neurotrophic factor production suggests potential therapeutic applications. However, readers should understand this represents laboratory conditions with specific cell types and exposure parameters. The reality is that magnetic field effects appear highly dependent on field strength, duration, and biological context. While this study shows promise for controlled therapeutic use, it doesn't necessarily translate to safety conclusions about everyday magnetic field exposures, which operate at vastly different intensities and exposure patterns.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 300 mG
- Exposure Duration
- Two weeks (two hours/day)
Exposure Context
This study used 300 mG for magnetic fields:
- 15Mx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 3Mx 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 have developed an in vitro SMF stimulation set-up to investigate the genomic effects of SMF exposure on oligodendrocyte differentiation and neurotrophic factors secretion.
Human oligodendrocytes precursor cells (OPCs) were stimulated with moderate intensity SMF (0.3 T) fo...
The enhanced myelination capacity of the SMF stimulated oligodendrocytes was validated in a dorsal r...
Our findings emphasize the ability of glial cells such as OPCs to positively respond to moderate intensity SMF stimulation by exhibiting enhanced differentiation, functionality as well as neurotrophic factor release.
Show BibTeX
@article{a_2017_static_magnetic_field_stimulation_694,
author = {Prasad A and Teh DBL and Blasiak A and Chai C and Wu Y and Gharibani PM and Yang IH and Phan TT and Lim KL and Yang H and Liu X and All AH.},
title = {Static Magnetic Field Stimulation Enhances Oligodendrocyte Differentiation and Secretion of Neurotrophic Factors.},
year = {2017},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-06331-8},
}