8,700 Studies Reviewed. 87.0% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Shield Your Body
Brain & Nervous System1,994 citations

Moderate intensity of static magnetic fields can alter the avoidance behavior and fat storage of Caenorhabditis elegans via serotonin

Bioeffects Seen

Cheng L, Yang B, Du H, Zhou T, Li Y, Wu J, Cao Z, Xu A · 2022

Share:

Moderate static magnetic field exposure may influence organism behavior and metabolism through serotonin-dependent pathways in a model organism.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This 2022 study investigated how moderate intensity static magnetic fields affect Caenorhabditis elegans (roundworms), examining changes in avoidance behavior and fat storage through serotonin signaling pathways. The research suggests that static magnetic field exposure can alter these physiological and behavioral parameters via serotonergic mechanisms.

Why This Matters

C. elegans is a well-established model organism for studying biological mechanisms due to its simple nervous system and genetic tractability. This study contributes to understanding potential biological effects of static magnetic fields at the cellular and behavioral level.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Cheng L, Yang B, Du H, Zhou T, Li Y, Wu J, Cao Z, Xu A (2022). Moderate intensity of static magnetic fields can alter the avoidance behavior and fat storage of Caenorhabditis elegans via serotonin.
Show BibTeX
@article{moderate_intensity_of_static_magnetic_fields_can_alter_the_avoidance_behavior_and_fat_storage_of_caenorhabditis_elegans_via_serotonin_ce4315,
  author = {Cheng L and Yang B and Du H and Zhou T and Li Y and Wu J and Cao Z and Xu A},
  title = {Moderate intensity of static magnetic fields can alter the avoidance behavior and fat storage of Caenorhabditis elegans via serotonin},
  year = {2022},
  doi = {10.1038/s41586-022-04434-5},
  
}
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04434-5

Quick Questions About This Study

This study identified 287 distinct genomic locations associated with schizophrenia risk. These genetic variants were found by analyzing DNA from 76,755 people with schizophrenia and 243,649 control individuals, making it the largest genetic study of the disorder to date.
The genetic associations were concentrated in excitatory and inhibitory neurons of the central nervous system, not in other tissues or cell types. This finding suggests schizophrenia primarily affects the brain's core communication networks rather than being a systemic disorder.
The identified genes primarily affect synaptic organization, neuronal differentiation, and synaptic transmission. These are fundamental processes controlling how brain cells communicate with each other, suggesting schizophrenia involves disrupted neural communication networks throughout the brain.
Researchers identified 120 genes likely to underpin schizophrenia associations, including 106 protein-coding genes. Among these, 16 genes showed credible causal variations that directly affect gene function, including the glutamate receptor GRIN2A and transcription factor SP4.
Yes, the study found significant overlap between schizophrenia genes and those implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. This convergence suggests common biological pathways may underlie multiple psychiatric and developmental conditions, pointing to shared genetic vulnerabilities across different brain disorders.