Neuropathology and behavioral impairments in Wistar rats with a 6-OHDA lesion in the substantia nigra compacta and exposure to a static magnetic field.
Bertolino G, Dutra Souza HC, de Araujo JE. · 2013
View Original AbstractStatic magnetic fields at 3200 gauss protected brain neurons and improved motor function in rats with Parkinson's-like damage.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed rats with chemically-induced brain damage (mimicking Parkinson's disease) to static magnetic fields of 3200 gauss for 14 days. The magnetic field exposure helped preserve neurons in the brain region affected by Parkinson's and improved motor function compared to rats that didn't receive magnetic treatment. This suggests static magnetic fields might have therapeutic potential for protecting brain cells from neurodegenerative damage.
Why This Matters
This study reveals something fascinating about static magnetic fields that challenges our typical focus on EMF harms. The researchers used 3200 gauss magnetic fields, which is extraordinarily strong compared to everyday exposures. For context, your typical refrigerator magnet generates about 100 gauss, while MRI machines produce fields of 10,000-30,000 gauss. The science demonstrates that these powerful static fields actually protected brain neurons from damage and improved motor function in this Parkinson's disease model. What this means for you is that the biological effects of magnetic fields are complex and dose-dependent. While we rightfully focus on potential harms from chronic low-level EMF exposure, this research reminds us that the same forces can sometimes be harnessed therapeutically. The reality is that understanding these mechanisms could lead to better treatments for neurodegenerative diseases while also informing our approach to EMF safety standards.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 320 mG
- Exposure Duration
- 14 days
Exposure Context
This study used 320 mG for magnetic fields:
- 16Mx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 3.2Mx 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 evaluate the effects of static magnetic field stimulation 14 days after a 6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) substantia nigra compacta (SNc) lesion on motor behavior, as assessed by the rotarod (RR) test and brain tissue morphology.
Forty male Wistar rats were used and were divided into five groups: control group, sham group (SG), ...
The RR test showed a decrease in the time spent on the apparatus in the LG compared with all groups....
Our results demonstrate a potential therapeutic use of static magnetic fields for the preservation of motor behavior and brain morphology in the SNc after 14 days with 6-OHDA lesion.
Show BibTeX
@article{g_2013_neuropathology_and_behavioral_impairments_605,
author = {Bertolino G and Dutra Souza HC and de Araujo JE.},
title = {Neuropathology and behavioral impairments in Wistar rats with a 6-OHDA lesion in the substantia nigra compacta and exposure to a static magnetic field.},
year = {2013},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23631668/},
}