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 altered brain cell communication and increased seizure susceptibility in rat tissue at everyday exposure levels.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed rat brain tissue to 50 Hz magnetic fields at power line levels. The exposure altered how brain cells communicate and increased seizure-like activity. This suggests electromagnetic fields from power infrastructure may affect brain function, though effects appeared temporary.
Why This Matters
This study provides compelling evidence that extremely low frequency magnetic fields can directly alter brain function at the cellular level. The exposure levels used (250-500 microtesla) are particularly relevant because they're comparable to what you might encounter living near power lines or using certain household appliances. What makes this research especially significant is that it demonstrates measurable changes in synaptic activity - the fundamental process by which brain cells communicate. The finding that EMF exposure increased seizure susceptibility in brain tissue raises important questions about potential neurological risks, especially for vulnerable populations. While the researchers noted these effects appeared transient, the fact that brief EMF exposure could alter basic brain function suggests we need much more research into the long-term implications of our increasing exposure to these fields.
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
The aim of this study is to observe 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_727,
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},
}