Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.
Influence of a Constant Magnetic Field on Nervous Tissues: I. Nerve Conduction Velocity Studies
No Effects Found
Jean-Louis Schwartz · 1978
Even extremely strong 1.2 Tesla magnetic fields don't affect nerve signal transmission speed in laboratory testing.
Plain English Summary
Summary written for general audiences
Researchers tested whether strong magnetic fields affect nerve signal transmission by exposing isolated lobster nerve tissue to a 1.2 Tesla magnetic field. They found no significant changes in nerve conduction velocity whether the field was applied parallel or perpendicular to the nerve. This suggests that static magnetic fields at this strength don't disrupt basic nerve function.
Cite This Study
Jean-Louis Schwartz (1978). Influence of a Constant Magnetic Field on Nervous Tissues: I. Nerve Conduction Velocity Studies.
Show BibTeX
@article{influence_of_a_constant_magnetic_field_on_nervous_tissues_i_nerve_conduction_vel_g6261,
author = {Jean-Louis Schwartz},
title = {Influence of a Constant Magnetic Field on Nervous Tissues: I. Nerve Conduction Velocity Studies},
year = {1978},
}Quick Questions About This Study
No, researchers found no significant effect on nerve conduction velocity when lobster nerve tissue was exposed to 1.2 Tesla magnetic fields, regardless of field orientation relative to the nerve.
A 1.2 Tesla field is approximately 12,000 times stronger than typical household magnetic field exposures, which usually measure in milligauss rather than the 12,000 gauss used in this study.
Lobster circumesophageal connective nerves contain giant axons that are easily isolated and studied, making them ideal model systems for measuring precise changes in nerve conduction velocity under controlled conditions.
According to this study, orientation doesn't matter. Researchers tested both parallel and perpendicular magnetic field configurations relative to the nerve and found no significant effects in either case.
No, this study used constant (static) magnetic fields, which are fundamentally different from the time-varying electromagnetic fields produced by wireless devices like cell phones, WiFi routers, and other modern electronics.