Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.
Repetitive exposure to a 7 Tesla static magnetic field of mice in utero does not cause alterations in basal emotional and cognitive behavior in adulthood
No Effects Found
Authors not listed · 2012
Even extreme 7 Tesla magnetic field exposure during pregnancy caused no behavioral or cognitive problems in offspring.
Plain English Summary
Summary written for general audiences
Researchers exposed pregnant mice repeatedly to extremely powerful 7 Tesla magnetic fields (thousands of times stronger than typical MRI machines) and then tested their offspring's behavior and learning abilities as adults. The study found no detectable effects on emotional behavior, spatial learning, or cognitive function in the adult mice who had been exposed in the womb.
Cite This Study
Unknown (2012). Repetitive exposure to a 7 Tesla static magnetic field of mice in utero does not cause alterations in basal emotional and cognitive behavior in adulthood.
Show BibTeX
@article{repetitive_exposure_to_a_7_tesla_static_magnetic_field_of_mice_in_utero_does_not_cause_alterations_in_basal_emotional_and_cognitive_behavior_in_adulthood_ce4410,
author = {Unknown},
title = {Repetitive exposure to a 7 Tesla static magnetic field of mice in utero does not cause alterations in basal emotional and cognitive behavior in adulthood},
year = {2012},
doi = {10.1016/j.reprotox.2012.03.006},
}Quick Questions About This Study
This study suggests high-field MRI is likely safe, as mice exposed to 7 Tesla fields in utero showed normal behavior and learning as adults. Most hospital MRI machines use much weaker 1.5-3 Tesla fields.
A 7 Tesla field is about 140,000 times stronger than Earth's magnetic field and more than twice as powerful as most hospital MRI machines, which typically operate at 1.5-3 Tesla.
This study found no effects on emotional behavior, spatial learning, or cognitive function in mice exposed to extremely strong magnetic fields before birth, suggesting developing brains are relatively resilient.
Yes, static magnetic fields like those in MRI don't change over time, while cell phones emit radiofrequency radiation that oscillates millions of times per second. These are completely different types of electromagnetic exposure.
Scientists used well-validated tests to measure emotional behavior, spatial learning, and cognitive function in adult mice. All tests showed normal results despite the extreme prenatal magnetic field exposure.