Changes in synaptic efficacy and seizure susceptibility in rat brain slices following extremely low‐frequency electromagnetic field exposure
Varró P, Szemerszky R, Bárdos G, Világi I. · 2009
View Original AbstractPower-line frequency magnetic fields at everyday exposure levels measurably altered brain cell communication and increased seizure susceptibility in laboratory studies.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed rat brain tissue to 50 Hz magnetic fields at levels commonly found near power lines (250-500 microtesla) and measured changes in brain cell communication. They found that direct exposure reduced normal brain signaling, while whole-body exposure increased seizure susceptibility and altered how brain cells strengthen their connections. These findings suggest that everyday electromagnetic fields from electrical infrastructure can measurably alter fundamental brain functions.
Why This Matters
This study provides compelling evidence that extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields at levels we encounter daily can alter basic brain function. The exposure levels used (250-500 microtesla) are well within the range you'd experience living near power lines or using common electrical appliances. What makes this research particularly significant is that it demonstrates measurable changes in synaptic efficacy - essentially how brain cells communicate with each other. The finding that EMF exposure increased seizure susceptibility in brain tissue is especially concerning, as it suggests these fields may lower the threshold for abnormal brain activity. While the researchers noted some effects were transient, the reality is that most of us face continuous or repeated EMF exposure throughout our daily lives, not the brief exposures used in laboratory settings.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 0.25 - 0.5 mG
- Source/Device
- 50 Hz
Exposure Context
This study used 0.25 - 0.5 mG for magnetic fields:
- 12.5Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 2.5Kx 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
To study the Changes in synaptic efficacy and seizure susceptibility in rat brain slices following extremely low‐frequency electromagnetic field exposure
In the present series of experiments, whole rats or excised rat brain slices were exposed to a refer...
The most pronounced effect was a decrease in basic synaptic activity in slices treated directly ex v...
We can conclude that ELF‐EMF exposure exerts significant effects on synaptic activity, but the overall changes may strongly depend on the synaptic structure and neuronal network of the affected region together with the specific spatial parameters and constancy of EMF.
Show BibTeX
@article{p_2009_changes_in_synaptic_efficacy_309,
author = {Varró P and Szemerszky R and Bárdos G and Világi I.},
title = {Changes in synaptic efficacy and seizure susceptibility in rat brain slices following extremely low‐frequency electromagnetic field exposure},
year = {2009},
doi = {10.1002/bem.20517},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bem.20517},
}