Influence of extremely low frequency magnetic fields on Ca2+ signaling and NMDA receptor functions in rat hippocampus
Manikonda PK, Rajendra P, Devendranath D, Gunasekaran B, Channakeshava, Aradhya RS, Sashidhar RB, Subramanyam C. · 2007
View Original AbstractChronic exposure to power-line frequency magnetic fields disrupted brain chemistry essential for memory in developing rats at levels comparable to everyday human exposure.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed young rats to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency used in power lines) for 90 days and found significant changes in brain chemistry, specifically disrupted calcium signaling in the hippocampus, the brain region critical for memory and learning. The magnetic field exposure altered the activity of key enzymes and reduced the function of NMDA receptors, which are essential for memory formation. These findings suggest that chronic exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields may interfere with normal brain function and memory processes.
Why This Matters
This study provides compelling evidence that extremely low frequency magnetic fields can disrupt fundamental brain chemistry at exposure levels we encounter daily. The magnetic field strengths used (50-100 μT) are comparable to what you might experience living near power lines or using certain household appliances for extended periods. What makes this research particularly significant is that it identifies specific biological mechanisms - disrupted calcium signaling and altered NMDA receptor function - that could explain why some studies have linked EMF exposure to memory problems and neurological effects. The 90-day exposure period mirrors the chronic, long-term exposure many of us experience in our daily lives, making these findings directly relevant to public health concerns about our increasingly electrified environment.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 0.05, 0.1 mG
- Source/Device
- 50 Hz
- Exposure Duration
- 90 days
Exposure Context
This study used 0.05, 0.1 mG for magnetic fields:
- 2.5Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 500x 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
Extremely low frequency (ELF < 300 Hz) electromagnetic fields affect several neuronal activities including memory. Because ELF magnetic fields cause altered Ca2+ homeostasis in neural tissues, we examined their influence on Ca2+ signaling enzymes in hippocampus and related them with NMDA receptor functions.
Hippocampal regions were obtained from brains of 21-day-old rats that were exposed for 90 days to 50...
In comparison to controls, ELF exposure caused increased intracellular Ca2+ levels concomitant with...
The combined results suggest that perturbed neuronal functions caused by ELF exposure may involve altered Ca2+ signaling events contributing to aberrant NMDA receptor activities.
Show BibTeX
@article{pk_2007_influence_of_extremely_low_278,
author = {Manikonda PK and Rajendra P and Devendranath D and Gunasekaran B and Channakeshava and Aradhya RS and Sashidhar RB and Subramanyam C.},
title = {Influence of extremely low frequency magnetic fields on Ca2+ signaling and NMDA receptor functions in rat hippocampus},
year = {2007},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304394006012833},
}