Effects of magnetic stray fields from a 7 Tesla MRI scanner on neurocognition: a double-blind randomised crossover study.
van Nierop LE, Slottje P, van Zandvoort MJE, de Vocht F, Kromkout H. · 2012
View Original AbstractStrong magnetic fields measurably impaired attention and spatial skills in healthy adults, proving brain function can be disrupted by electromagnetic exposure.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed 31 healthy volunteers to magnetic fields from a 7 Tesla MRI scanner while they performed cognitive tests. They found that attention, concentration, and spatial orientation abilities declined significantly when people moved their heads in these strong magnetic fields. The effects were dose-dependent, with stronger magnetic fields causing greater impairment in brain function.
Why This Matters
This study provides compelling evidence that strong magnetic fields can directly impair brain function in real-time. The researchers used the gold standard of study design - a double-blind, randomized crossover trial - and found measurable cognitive deficits at magnetic field strengths of 0.5 and 1.0 Tesla. What makes this particularly significant is that these effects occurred during brief exposure periods, not after long-term exposure. While 7 Tesla MRI scanners represent some of the strongest magnetic fields humans encounter, this research demonstrates that magnetic fields can indeed cross the blood-brain barrier and affect neural processing. The dose-response relationship (stronger fields caused greater impairment) strengthens the case for biological plausibility of EMF effects on the brain. For the broader EMF debate, this study shows that dismissing magnetic field bioeffects as impossible is scientifically unjustified.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 0, 500, 1000 mG
Where This Falls on the Concern Scale
Study Details
This study characterises neurocognitive domains that are affected by movement-induced time-varying magnetic fields (TVMF) within a static magnetic stray field (SMF) of a 7 Tesla (T) MRI scanner.
Using a double-blind randomised crossover design, 31 healthy volunteers were tested in a sham (0 T),...
Of the six tested neurocognitive domains, we demonstrated that attention and concentration were nega...
Neurocognitive functioning is modulated when exposed to movement-induced TVMF within an SMF of a 7 T MRI scanner. Domains that were affected include attention/concentration and visuospatial orientation. Further studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms and possible practical safety and health implications of these acute neurocognitive effects.
Show BibTeX
@article{le_2012_effects_of_magnetic_stray_725,
author = {van Nierop LE and Slottje P and van Zandvoort MJE and de Vocht F and Kromkout H.},
title = {Effects of magnetic stray fields from a 7 Tesla MRI scanner on neurocognition: a double-blind randomised crossover study.},
year = {2012},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22930737/},
}