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Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.

Brain & Nervous System

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and extremely-low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields: a study in the SOD-1 transgenic mouse model

No Effects Found

Authors not listed · 2008

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Seven weeks of power line frequency magnetic field exposure did not accelerate ALS in genetically susceptible mice.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed genetically modified mice predisposed to ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) to power line frequency magnetic fields for 7 weeks before disease onset. The study found no evidence that 50 Hz magnetic field exposure at levels of 100 or 1000 microTesla affected disease progression, motor function, or survival time. This controlled animal study failed to support epidemiological findings suggesting a link between occupational EMF exposure and ALS.

Why This Matters

This study represents an important attempt to test whether the epidemiological associations between occupational EMF exposure and ALS have a biological basis. While the negative findings might seem reassuring, we need to consider the limitations. The researchers used only 7 mice per group and exposed them for just 7 weeks before disease onset. Real-world occupational exposures often span decades, not weeks. The magnetic field strengths tested (100-1000 microTesla) are comparable to what workers experience near industrial equipment or power lines, but the exposure duration was dramatically shorter than human occupational scenarios. Additionally, this study only examined one specific genetic form of ALS in mice, which may not represent the full spectrum of ALS development in humans. The epidemiological evidence linking EMF exposure to ALS, while not definitive, comes from multiple studies of real human populations with long-term exposures.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 50 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 50 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Unknown (2008). Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and extremely-low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields: a study in the SOD-1 transgenic mouse model.
Show BibTeX
@article{amyotrophic_lateral_sclerosis_als_and_extremely_low_frequency_elf_magnetic_fields_a_study_in_the_sod_1_transgenic_mouse_model_ce1413,
  author = {Unknown},
  title = {Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and extremely-low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields: a study in the SOD-1 transgenic mouse model},
  year = {2008},
  doi = {10.3109/17482960802320396},
  
}
DOI: 10.3109/17482960802320396PubMed: 19922126

Quick Questions About This Study

No, this study found that 7 weeks of 50 Hz magnetic field exposure at 100 and 1000 microTesla did not affect disease progression, motor performance, or lifespan in SOD-1 transgenic mice predisposed to ALS.
The researchers tested two magnetic field strengths: 100 microTesla and 1000 microTesla at 50 Hz frequency. These levels are comparable to occupational exposures near power lines and industrial electrical equipment.
This mouse study found no EMF effects on ALS, while some human epidemiological studies suggest associations. However, the 7-week mouse exposure was much shorter than decades-long human occupational exposures.
SOD-1 transgenic mice carry a mutated gene that causes them to develop ALS-like symptoms. This allows researchers to study potential disease triggers in a controlled laboratory setting with genetically susceptible animals.
The mice were exposed to 50 Hz magnetic fields for 7 weeks before clinical signs of ALS appeared. This short duration contrasts with typical human occupational exposures lasting years or decades.