Effects of extremely low frequency magnetic field on anxiety level and spatial memory of adult rats.
He LH, Shi HM, Liu TT, Xu YC, Ye KP, Wang S. · 2011
View Original AbstractChronic ELF magnetic field exposure had an anxiogenic effect on rats and promoted spatial learning and long-term retention of spatial memory.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed adult rats daily to a 50-Hz extremely low frequency magnetic field set to 2 mT, dividing them into a control group, a 1-hour exposure group, and a 4-hour exposure group. After 4 weeks of daily exposure, anxiety-related behaviors were assessed in the open field test and the elevated plus maze, and spatial learning and memory were assessed in the Morris water maze. Rats in the 4-hour group showed increased anxiety-like behaviors, reduced latency to find a hidden platform, and improved long-term memory of the platform's former location, without changes in short-term memory or locomotor activity.
Why This Matters
The researchers characterized the exposure as having an anxiogenic effect, meaning it appeared to promote anxiety in the rats. At the same time, the exposure was associated with promoting effects on spatial learning and long-term retention of spatial memory. Locomotor activity remained unchanged in exposed rats, which the researchers noted in both the anxiety and memory findings.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 2 mT
- Source/Device
- 50 Hz
- Exposure Duration
- 1 h/day or 4 h/day for 4 weeks
Exposure Context
This study used 2 mT for magnetic fields:
- 100Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 20Kx above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 1 mG
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 Details
The present study examined the effects of chronic exposure to ELF MF on anxiety level and spatial memory of adult rats.
The 50-Hz ELF MF was used during the whole experimental procedures and the value of magnetic field (...
Rats in MF 4 hours group had increased anxiety-like behaviors with unaltered locomotor activity. In ...
Chronic ELF MF exposure has anxiogenic effect on rats, and the promoting effects on spatial learning and long-term retention of spatial memory.
Show BibTeX
@article{lh_2011_effects_of_extremely_low_257,
author = {He LH and Shi HM and Liu TT and Xu YC and Ye KP and Wang S. },
title = {Effects of extremely low frequency magnetic field on anxiety level and spatial memory of adult rats.},
year = {2011},
url = {https://journals.lww.com/cmj/Fulltext/2011/10020/Effects_of_extremely_low_frequency_magnetic_field.28.aspx},
}