Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields enhance the survival of newborn neurons in the mouse hippocampus.
Podda MV, Leone L, Barbati SA, Mastrodonato A, Li Puma DD, Piacentini R, Grassi C. · 2013
View Original AbstractControlled low-frequency EMF exposure enhanced brain cell survival and memory in mice, suggesting electromagnetic fields can have beneficial effects under specific conditions.
Plain English Summary
Italian researchers exposed mice to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (like those from power lines) for 3.5 hours daily over 6 days and found it helped new brain cells survive in the hippocampus, a region critical for learning and memory. The mice showed improved spatial learning abilities, and laboratory tests revealed the EMF exposure reduced cell death signals while boosting cell survival proteins. This suggests certain EMF exposures might actually support brain health rather than harm it.
Why This Matters
This study presents a fascinating counterpoint to the typical narrative around EMF health effects. While most research focuses on potential harms, these Italian scientists found that extremely low frequency fields actually enhanced brain cell survival and improved cognitive function in mice. The reality is that EMF effects are far more complex than simple 'good' or 'bad' categories suggest. What this means for you is that the biological effects of electromagnetic fields depend heavily on frequency, intensity, duration, and timing of exposure. The researchers specifically chose to expose mice during a critical window when new brain cells naturally die off, suggesting that therapeutic applications might be possible. However, we should be cautious about extrapolating these findings to everyday EMF exposures from power lines or household appliances, which operate at different parameters and exposure patterns. This research adds important nuance to our understanding that electromagnetic fields can have both beneficial and harmful biological effects depending on the specific conditions.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. Duration: 3.5 h/day for 6 days
Study Details
We extended our studies to specifically assess the influence of ELFEFs on hippocampal newborn cell survival, which is a very critical issue in adult neurogenesis regulation.
Mice were injected with 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) to label newborn cells, and were exposed to E...
The results showed that ELFEF exposure (3.5 h/day for 6 days) enhanced newborn neuron survival as do...
Our results may have clinical implications for the treatment of impaired neurogenesis associated with brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases
Show BibTeX
@article{mv_2013_extremely_lowfrequency_electromagnetic_fields_1767,
author = {Podda MV and Leone L and Barbati SA and Mastrodonato A and Li Puma DD and Piacentini R and Grassi C.},
title = {Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields enhance the survival of newborn neurons in the mouse hippocampus.},
year = {2013},
doi = {10.1111/ejn.12465},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ejn.12465},
}