Electroanesthesia and some thalamic evoked responses
Eustace F. G. Douglas, Sanford J. Larson, Anthony Sances, Jr. · 1967
External 70 Hz electrical fields progressively suppressed monkey brain responses, demonstrating that ELF frequencies can directly interfere with neural function.
Plain English Summary
Researchers applied 70 Hz electrical currents to macaque monkeys' heads to study how electroanesthesia affects brain responses. They found that increasing electrical current intensity gradually suppressed brain activity in key thalamic regions until responses disappeared completely at anesthetic levels. The study demonstrates that external electrical fields can directly interfere with normal brain function.
Why This Matters
This 1967 study provides early evidence that external electrical fields can directly disrupt normal brain activity. The researchers used 70 Hz frequencies - within the extremely low frequency (ELF) range that surrounds us daily from power lines, electrical wiring, and household appliances. What makes this particularly relevant is that the electrical currents were applied externally to the head, similar to how we're exposed to ELF fields in our environment.
The progressive suppression of brain responses with increasing field intensity suggests a dose-response relationship that mirrors concerns about chronic ELF exposure. While the study used anesthetic-level intensities, it establishes the biological principle that external electrical fields can interfere with delicate neural processes. This research predates decades of studies showing ELF effects on brain function, sleep patterns, and neurological health.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Show BibTeX
@article{electroanesthesia_and_some_thalamic_evoked_responses_g5751,
author = {Eustace F. G. Douglas and Sanford J. Larson and Anthony Sances and Jr.},
title = {Electroanesthesia and some thalamic evoked responses},
year = {1967},
}