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Temporal patterns of extremely low frequency magnetic field-induced motor behavior changes in Mongolian gerbils of different age.

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Janać B, Selaković V, Rauš S, Radenović L, Zrnić M, Prolić Z. · 2012

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Power line frequency magnetic fields altered brain function and behavior in animals at levels comparable to everyday household exposures.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed young and older gerbils to power-line frequency magnetic fields for seven days. Both age groups showed significant behavioral changes, with younger animals becoming more active. The effects persisted three days after exposure ended, indicating potential lasting impacts on brain function.

Why This Matters

This study provides compelling evidence that power frequency magnetic fields can alter brain function and behavior, even at relatively low exposure levels. The magnetic field strengths used (0.1 to 0.5 mT) are within the range you might encounter near electrical appliances or power lines, making these findings directly relevant to everyday exposures. What makes this research particularly significant is the demonstration of both immediate and delayed effects, with behavioral changes persisting days after exposure ended. This suggests that EMF exposure may cause lasting alterations in brain chemistry or neural pathways. The age-dependent responses also highlight that developing and aging brains may be especially vulnerable to EMF effects. While this study was conducted in animals, the brain structures controlling motor behavior are similar across mammals, raising important questions about potential impacts on human neurological function from our increasingly electrified environment.

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:

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: 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mGExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the No Concern rangeFCC limit is 20,000x 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

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 (locomoti...

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.

Cite This Study
Janać B, Selaković V, Rauš S, Radenović L, Zrnić M, Prolić Z. (2012). Temporal patterns of extremely low frequency magnetic field-induced motor behavior changes in Mongolian gerbils of different age. Int J Radiat Biol. 88(4):359-366, 2012.
Show BibTeX
@article{b_2012_temporal_patterns_of_extremely_658,
  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},
}
DOI: 10.3109/09553002.2012.652725

Cited By (15 papers)

View all 15 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2012 study found that 50 Hz magnetic fields significantly altered motor behavior in gerbils. Young animals became more active while older animals showed varied responses depending on field strength. These behavioral changes persisted for three days after exposure ended.
Behavioral changes from 50 Hz magnetic field exposure can persist for at least three days after exposure stops. Research on gerbils showed that motor behavior effects continued beyond the seven-day exposure period, suggesting potential lasting impacts on brain function.
Yes, age significantly influences behavioral responses to magnetic fields. Young gerbils (3 months) became consistently more active when exposed to 50 Hz fields, while older gerbils (10 months) showed varied responses, with some field strengths causing decreased activity.
Magnetic field strengths of 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 millitesla all increased motor activity in young gerbils. These power-line frequency exposures caused increased movement and stereotypical behaviors while reducing periods of immobility during seven-day exposure periods.
Research suggests 50 Hz magnetic fields can influence brain structures controlling motor behavior. A gerbil study found age-dependent behavioral changes, indicating that magnetic fields may affect different brain regions responsible for movement control based on developmental stage.