Temporal patterns of extremely low frequency magnetic field-induced motor behavior changes in Mongolian gerbils of different age
Janać B, Selaković V, Rauš S, Radenović L, Zrnić M, Prolić Z. · 2012
View Original AbstractMagnetic fields from power lines altered brain motor function in gerbils for days after exposure, with age determining sensitivity patterns.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed young and older gerbils to 50 Hz magnetic fields (power line frequency) for seven days. Both age groups showed significant changes in movement and activity levels that persisted for days after exposure ended, indicating brain motor centers are sensitive to electromagnetic fields.
Why This Matters
This study provides compelling evidence that extremely low frequency magnetic fields - the type generated by power lines, household wiring, and electrical appliances - can alter brain function in measurable ways. The magnetic field strengths tested (0.1 to 0.5 mT) are actually quite high compared to typical residential exposures, which usually range from 0.01 to 0.1 mT near power lines. However, the key finding is that these fields produced lasting neurological changes that persisted days after exposure ended. The age-dependent responses suggest developing and aging brains may be particularly vulnerable to EMF effects. What this means for you is that the brain's motor control systems can be influenced by magnetic field exposure, adding to the growing body of research showing EMF can affect nervous system function. While we can't directly extrapolate animal studies to humans, this research supports the need for precautionary approaches to EMF exposure, especially for children and older adults.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mG
- Source/Device
- 50 Hz
- Exposure Duration
- seven days
Exposure Context
This study used 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mG for magnetic fields:
- 5Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 1Kx 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
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) on different behavior parameters (locomotion, stereotypy, and immobility) in 3- and 10-month-old male Mongolian gerbils.
The animals were continuously exposed to ELF-MF (50 Hz; 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mT) for seven days. Their ...
In 3-month-old gerbils, exposure to ELF-MF (0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mT) increased motor behavior (locomot...
It can be proposed that the specific temporal patterns of ELF-MF-induced motor behavior changes in 3- and 10-month-old gerbils are a consequence of age-dependent morpho-functional differences in the brain structures responsible for a control of motor behavior.
Show BibTeX
@article{b_2012_temporal_patterns_of_extremely_264,
author = {Janać B and Selaković V and Rauš S and Radenović L and Zrnić M and Prolić Z. },
title = {Temporal patterns of extremely low frequency magnetic field-induced motor behavior changes in Mongolian gerbils of different age},
year = {2012},
doi = {10.3109/09553002.2012.652725},
url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09553002.2012.652725},
}