Effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on the response of a conductance-based neuron model.
Yi G, Wang J, Wei X, Deng B, Tsang KM, Chan WL, Han C. · 2014
View Original AbstractBrain cells show disrupted firing patterns when exposed to magnetic fields through resonance effects, potentially explaining neurological impacts from everyday EMF sources.
Plain English Summary
Computer modeling revealed that extremely low-frequency magnetic fields from power lines and appliances disrupt brain cell firing patterns. The disruption increases with stronger fields and occurs through resonance when field frequencies match natural brain rhythms, explaining how weak magnetic fields influence brain function.
Why This Matters
This computational study provides important mechanistic insights into how ELF magnetic fields interact with neurons at the cellular level. The finding that magnetic fields can disrupt neuronal timing through resonance effects helps explain why even relatively weak exposures from everyday sources like power lines, appliances, and electrical wiring might influence brain function. The research demonstrates that neurons with different firing patterns respond differently to magnetic field exposure, suggesting that some brain regions or states may be more vulnerable than others. What makes this particularly relevant is that the resonance phenomenon identified here could occur at the magnetic field strengths we encounter daily in our homes and workplaces, potentially contributing to the neurological symptoms reported by some people living near power lines or in high-EMF environments.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
To provide insights into the modulation of neuronal activity by extremely low-frequency (ELF) magnetic field (MF), we present a conductance-based neuron model and introduce ELF sinusoidal MF as an additive voltage input.
By analyzing spike times and spiking frequency, it is observed that neuron with distinct spiking pat...
These insights into the mechanism of MF exposure may be relevant for the design of multi-intensity magnetic stimulus protocols, and may even contribute to the interpretation of MF effects on the central nervous systems.
Show BibTeX
@article{g_2014_effects_of_extremely_lowfrequency_1575,
author = {Yi G and Wang J and Wei X and Deng B and Tsang KM and Chan WL and Han C.},
title = {Effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on the response of a conductance-based neuron model.},
year = {2014},
doi = {10.1142/S0129065714500075},
url = {https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S0129065714500075},
}