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Effects of ELF-EMF on brain proteins in mice.

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Strasák L, Bártová E, Krejci J, Fojt L, Vetterl V. · 2009

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Four days of magnetic field exposure reduced stress-response proteins in mouse brains, showing EMF triggers measurable biological changes.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed laboratory mice to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (50 Hz at 2 milliTesla) for four days and measured changes in brain proteins. They found that exposure decreased levels of c-Jun, a protein involved in cellular stress responses and gene regulation, while another protein (c-Fos) remained unchanged. This suggests that even short-term exposure to magnetic fields can alter brain biochemistry at the cellular level.

Why This Matters

This study adds to mounting evidence that ELF magnetic fields can trigger biological changes in brain tissue. The 2 milliTesla exposure level used here is significantly higher than typical household exposures (which range from 0.01 to 0.2 milliTesla near appliances), but it's within the range of occupational exposures for electrical workers and people living near power lines. What makes this research particularly noteworthy is that changes occurred after just four days of exposure. The c-Jun protein plays important roles in cellular stress responses and gene expression, so its reduction could indicate the brain is responding to EMF as a biological stressor. While we can't directly extrapolate mouse studies to humans, this research demonstrates that magnetic fields aren't biologically inert as industry often claims. The science shows our bodies do respond to these exposures, even if we don't immediately feel the effects.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
2 mG
Source/Device
50 Hz
Exposure Duration
4 days

Exposure Context

This study used 2 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: 2 mGExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Severe Concern rangeFCC limit is 1,000x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 50 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 50 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

Effect of electromagnetic low frequency fields was studied on mice.

We analyzed level of protein in brain of mouse. The levels of c-Jun and c-Fos in brains were measure...

The expression of c-Fos was not affected by magnetic field on the other hand the expression of c-Jun...

The results did not depend on sex of mice.

Cite This Study
Strasák L, Bártová E, Krejci J, Fojt L, Vetterl V. (2009). Effects of ELF-EMF on brain proteins in mice. Electromagn Biol Med. 28(1):96-104, 2009.
Show BibTeX
@article{l_2009_effects_of_elfemf_on_718,
  author = {Strasák L and Bártová E and Krejci J and Fojt L and Vetterl V.},
  title = {Effects of ELF-EMF on brain proteins in mice.},
  year = {2009},
  doi = {10.1080/15368370802711870},
  url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15368370802711870},
}
DOI: 10.1080/15368370802711870

Cited By (11 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2009 study found that 50 Hz magnetic fields at 2 milliTesla decreased c-Jun protein levels in mouse brains after just four days of exposure. This protein plays a key role in cellular stress responses and gene regulation, suggesting magnetic fields can alter brain biochemistry.
Research shows that extremely low frequency magnetic fields (50 Hz) significantly decreased c-Jun protein expression in mouse brain tissue. However, another protein called c-Fos remained unchanged, indicating selective effects on specific brain proteins after magnetic field exposure.
Laboratory studies demonstrate that 2 milliTesla magnetic fields at 50 Hz can alter brain protein levels in just four days. Researchers found decreased c-Jun expression in mouse brains after this relatively short exposure period, showing rapid biochemical changes.
No, research on 50 Hz magnetic field exposure found that brain protein changes occurred equally in both male and female mice. The study specifically noted that decreased c-Jun protein expression did not depend on the sex of the animals tested.
Studies show that 50 Hz magnetic fields (common household electrical frequency) specifically decrease c-Jun protein in brain tissue while leaving c-Fos protein unchanged. This selective effect suggests that power line frequencies can target specific cellular stress response pathways in the brain.