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Effect of continuous exposure to alternating magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT) on serotonin and dopamine receptors activity in rat brain.

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Janać B, Tovilović G, Tomić M, Prolić Z, Radenović L. · 2009

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Magnetic field exposure at household appliance levels altered brain chemistry in rats, with effects intensifying over longer exposure periods.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Serbian researchers exposed rats to power line frequency magnetic fields (50 Hz) for up to seven days. The exposure significantly altered serotonin brain receptors that control mood and behavior, with effects becoming stronger over longer exposure periods. This suggests household electrical fields may impact brain chemistry.

Why This Matters

This study provides compelling evidence that magnetic field exposure at levels found in our everyday environment can alter fundamental brain chemistry. The 0.5 mT exposure used here is comparable to what you might encounter near household appliances, power lines, or electrical equipment - making these findings directly relevant to daily life. What makes this research particularly significant is that it demonstrates duration-dependent effects, meaning longer exposure periods produced more pronounced changes in brain receptor activity. The fact that these changes occurred in the prefrontal cortex, our brain's executive control center, raises important questions about how chronic EMF exposure might affect cognitive function and behavior. While this was an animal study, the biological mechanisms involved are similar in humans, suggesting we should take these neurological effects seriously when considering our cumulative EMF exposure.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
0.5 mG
Source/Device
50 Hz
Exposure Duration
1, 3, and 7 days

Exposure Context

This study used 0.5 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: 0.5 mGExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Slight Concern rangeFCC limit is 4,000x higher than this level
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

Study Details

Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine MF-induced changes in the activity of serotonin 5-HT(2A) receptors in the prefrontal cortex, as well as dopamine D(1) and D(2) receptors in the striatum of adult Wistar rats, considering their involvement in motor behavior regulation.

Experimental animals were continuously exposed to extremely low frequency MF (ELF-MF, 50 Hz, 0.5 mT)...

It was shown that the affinity of serotonin 5-HT(2A) receptors decreased and their density increased...

We can conclude that continuous exposure to ELF-MF up to 7 days affects cortical serotonergic neurotransmission, whereby intensity of these changes depends on ELF-MF exposure duration.

Cite This Study
Janać B, Tovilović G, Tomić M, Prolić Z, Radenović L. (2009). Effect of continuous exposure to alternating magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT) on serotonin and dopamine receptors activity in rat brain. Gen Physiol Biophys. 28 Spec No:41-46, 2009.
Show BibTeX
@article{b_2009_effect_of_continuous_exposure_657,
  author = {Janać B and Tovilović G and Tomić M and Prolić Z and Radenović L.},
  title = {Effect of continuous exposure to alternating magnetic field (50 Hz, 0.5 mT) on serotonin and dopamine receptors activity in rat brain.},
  year = {2009},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19893078/},
}
PubMed: 19893078

Cited By (31 papers)

View all 31 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, Serbian researchers found that 50 Hz magnetic fields significantly altered serotonin 5-HT(2A) receptors in rat brains. The exposure decreased receptor affinity while increasing receptor density in the prefrontal cortex, with effects becoming stronger after longer exposure periods up to seven days.
Research shows that continuous exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields from household electrical sources can alter brain chemistry. A 2009 study found duration-dependent changes in serotonin receptors, with the most prominent effects occurring after seven days of exposure to power line frequencies.
Effects on brain serotonin receptors become apparent within days of exposure to 0.5 mT magnetic fields at 50 Hz. Serbian researchers found that changes in receptor affinity were duration-dependent, with the most significant alterations occurring after seven days of continuous exposure.
No, 50 Hz magnetic field exposure did not significantly affect dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in the brain's striatum region. The Serbian study found that only serotonin 5-HT(2A) receptors in the prefrontal cortex were altered, while dopamine receptors remained unaffected.
The prefrontal cortex shows the most significant changes from ELF magnetic field exposure. Research found that 50 Hz fields specifically altered serotonin receptors in this brain region, which controls mood and behavior, while other areas like the striatum remained unaffected.