Exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields enhances locomotor activity via activation of dopamine D1-like receptors in mice.
Shin EJ, Jeong JH, Kim HJ, Jang CG, Yamada K, Nabeshima T, Kim HC. · 2007
View Original AbstractELF magnetic fields at 2.4 mT activate brain dopamine receptors and increase locomotor activity in mice, showing direct neurochemical effects.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed mice to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) for one hour daily and found it significantly increased their movement and activity levels. The magnetic field exposure activated specific dopamine receptors in the brain (D1-like receptors), which are involved in movement control and reward pathways. This suggests that ELF magnetic fields can directly alter brain chemistry and behavior through changes in the dopamine system.
Why This Matters
This study provides compelling evidence that ELF magnetic fields can alter brain function at the neurochemical level, specifically affecting the dopamine system that controls movement and motivation. The 2.4 mT exposure level used is substantially higher than typical household exposures (which range from 0.01 to 0.2 mT near appliances), but it's within the range found near power lines and some occupational settings. What makes this research particularly significant is that it identifies a specific biological mechanism - dopamine D1 receptor activation - through which magnetic fields influence behavior. The reality is that this adds to a growing body of evidence showing ELF fields can cross the blood-brain barrier and affect neurotransmitter systems. While more research is needed to understand long-term implications, this study demonstrates that magnetic field exposure isn't biologically inert as industry often claims.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 2.4 mG
- Exposure Duration
- 1 h/day, for one or seven days
Exposure Context
This study used 2.4 mG for magnetic fields:
- 120Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 24Kx 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
We demonstrated that exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) enhanced dopamine levels in the rat striatum
To extend our understanding, we examined the role of dopaminergic receptors in ELF-MF-induced behav...
Exposure to ELF-MF (2.4 mT, 1 h/day, for one or seven days) enhanced locomotor activity in a time-d...
Thus, our results suggest that ELF-MF-induced behavioral responses are, at least in part, mediated by activation of dopamine D(1)-like receptors.
Show BibTeX
@article{ej_2007_exposure_to_extremely_low_300,
author = {Shin EJ and Jeong JH and Kim HJ and Jang CG and Yamada K and Nabeshima T and Kim HC.},
title = {Exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields enhances locomotor activity via activation of dopamine D1-like receptors in mice.},
year = {2007},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18094524/},
}