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Behavioral testing of mice exposed to intermediate frequency magnetic fields indicates mild memory impairment.

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Kumari K, Koivisto H, Viluksela M, Paldanius KMA, Marttinen M, Hiltunen M, Naarala J, Tanila H, Juutilainen J. · 2017

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Magnetic fields from induction cooktops and store security systems may impair memory and increase brain inflammation, this study suggests.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed mice to intermediate frequency magnetic fields (7.5 kHz) for 5 weeks and tested their learning and memory abilities. Mice exposed to higher field levels showed impaired memory performance and increased brain inflammation markers. This suggests that magnetic fields from common sources like induction cooktops and security systems may affect cognitive function.

Why This Matters

This study addresses a critical gap in EMF research by examining intermediate frequencies that sit between the extensively studied extremely low frequency (ELF) and radiofrequency ranges. The 7.5 kHz frequency tested here is directly relevant to everyday exposures from induction cooking systems and electronic article surveillance gates in stores. What makes this research particularly significant is that it found measurable cognitive effects at magnetic field levels of 120 microtesla, which can occur near these common devices. The fact that researchers observed both behavioral changes and biological markers of brain inflammation suggests a plausible mechanism for how these fields might affect human cognition. While this is animal research, the findings add to growing evidence that EMF exposure can influence brain function, and they highlight an understudied frequency range that deserves more attention given our increasing exposure to these technologies.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
0.012, 0.12 mG
Source/Device
7.5 kHz
Exposure Duration
5 weeks.

Exposure Context

This study used 0.012, 0.12 mG for magnetic fields:

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 Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.012, 0.12 mGExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the No Concern rangeFCC limit is 166,667x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 7.5 kHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 7.5 kHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The aim of this study is to investigate Behavioral testing of mice exposed to intermediate frequency magnetic fields indicates mild memory impairment.

The present study assessed behavioral and histopathological consequences of exposing mice to 7.5 kHz...

No effects were observed on body weight, spontaneous activity, motor coordination, level of anxiety ...

These findings suggest that 7.5 kHz MF exposure may lead to mild learning and memory impairment, possibly through an inflammatory reaction in the hippocampus.

Cite This Study
Kumari K, Koivisto H, Viluksela M, Paldanius KMA, Marttinen M, Hiltunen M, Naarala J, Tanila H, Juutilainen J. (2017). Behavioral testing of mice exposed to intermediate frequency magnetic fields indicates mild memory impairment. PLoS One. 2017 Dec 4;12(12):e0188880.
Show BibTeX
@article{k_2017_behavioral_testing_of_mice_1123,
  author = {Kumari K and Koivisto H and Viluksela M and Paldanius KMA and Marttinen M and Hiltunen M and Naarala J and Tanila H and Juutilainen J.},
  title = {Behavioral testing of mice exposed to intermediate frequency magnetic fields indicates mild memory impairment.},
  year = {2017},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29206232/},
}
PubMed: 29206232

Cited By (12 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2017 study found that mice exposed to 7.5 kHz magnetic fields (similar to induction cooktops) for 5 weeks showed memory impairment in learning tasks. The exposed mice had difficulty retaining information over 48 hours and showed increased brain inflammation markers.
Research shows that 5-week exposure to 7.5 kHz magnetic fields at 120 μT significantly increased tumor necrosis factor alpha expression in mouse brains. This inflammatory response occurred alongside memory problems, suggesting inflammation may contribute to the cognitive effects.
A 2017 study using 7.5 kHz magnetic fields (common in security systems) found that mice exposed for 5 weeks showed impaired learning curves in memory tests. However, the mice maintained normal motor skills, anxiety levels, and body weight.
Research found that 120 μT magnetic fields at 7.5 kHz caused memory problems in mice after 5 weeks of exposure. Lower field strengths in the same study did not produce significant cognitive effects, suggesting a threshold level exists.
Yes, 7.5 kHz magnetic field exposure for 5 weeks increased inflammatory markers in the hippocampus region of mouse brains. This brain area is crucial for memory formation, and the inflammation correlated with observed memory impairments in behavioral tests.