A method for detecting the effect of magnetic field on activity changes of neuronal populations of Morimus funereus (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae).
Todorović D, Kalauzi A, Prolić Z, Jović M, Mutavdzić D. · 2007
View Original AbstractBrief magnetic field exposure caused permanent nerve changes in 87% of test subjects at levels comparable to household appliances.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed endangered longhorn beetles to weak magnetic fields (2 milliTesla) for five minutes and monitored their brain nerve activity. The magnetic field caused permanent changes to nerve cell activity in 7 out of 8 beetles tested, with some neurons becoming more active and others less active. This demonstrates that even brief exposure to relatively weak magnetic fields can cause lasting changes to nervous system function in living organisms.
Why This Matters
This study provides compelling evidence that magnetic fields can cause permanent neurological changes at surprisingly low exposure levels. The 2 milliTesla field used here is roughly equivalent to what you might encounter from some household appliances or power lines, yet it produced irreversible effects in 87% of the test subjects after just five minutes of exposure. What makes this research particularly significant is that it demonstrates biological effects aren't always temporary - the nervous system changes persisted even after the magnetic field was removed. While this study used insects rather than humans, the fundamental mechanisms of nerve cell function are remarkably similar across species. The reality is that our understanding of how magnetic fields affect nervous system activity is still developing, but studies like this suggest we may be underestimating the potential for lasting biological impacts from everyday EMF exposures.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 2 mG
Exposure Context
This study used 2 mG for magnetic fields:
- 100Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 20Kx 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
Modification of a new method for detecting changes in the activities of neuronal population and the nearest neuron is described.
Preliminary measurements of the influence of a static magnetic field (2 mT) on neuronal population a...
Five minutes exposure produced both excitatory (5/8) and inhibitory (3/8) effect on the activity of ...
Show BibTeX
@article{d_2007_a_method_for_detecting_722,
author = {Todorović D and Kalauzi A and Prolić Z and Jović M and Mutavdzić D.},
title = {A method for detecting the effect of magnetic field on activity changes of neuronal populations of Morimus funereus (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae).},
year = {2007},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17203477/},
}