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 AbstractPower line frequency magnetic fields altered brain function and behavior in animals at levels comparable to everyday household exposures.
Plain English Summary
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:
- 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 (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.
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},
}