Sinusoidal ELF magnetic fields affect acetylcholinesterase activity in cerebellum synaptosomal membranes
Ravera S, Bianco B, Cugnoli C, Panfoli I, Calzia D, Morelli A, Pepe IM · 2010
View Original AbstractPower frequency magnetic fields at 0.74 milliTesla reduced a key brain enzyme by 27%, offering biological evidence for EMF effects on neural function.
Plain English Summary
Italian researchers exposed brain cell membranes to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as electrical power lines) and found that a key enzyme called acetylcholinesterase was reduced by 27%. This enzyme is crucial for proper nerve signaling in the brain. The effect occurred at magnetic field levels of 0.74 milliTesla and was completely reversible when the exposure stopped.
Why This Matters
This study provides important mechanistic evidence for how power frequency magnetic fields might affect brain function at the cellular level. Acetylcholinesterase breaks down acetylcholine, a critical neurotransmitter involved in memory, learning, and muscle control. When this enzyme is inhibited, acetylcholine accumulates, potentially disrupting normal brain signaling. The 0.74 milliTesla exposure level is significant because it's within the range of magnetic fields found near high-voltage power lines and some household appliances, though well above typical residential background levels. What makes this research particularly compelling is that the effect was completely reversible and occurred across multiple frequencies, suggesting a consistent biological response rather than a random finding. The researchers' discovery that the cell membrane structure was crucial for this effect provides valuable insight into the biological mechanisms behind EMF interactions with living tissue.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 0.74 mG
- Source/Device
- 50 Hz
Exposure Context
This study used 0.74 mG for magnetic fields:
- 37Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 7.4Kx 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 effects of extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF‐MF) on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity of synaptosomal membranes were investigated.
Sinusoidal fields with 50 Hz frequency and different amplitudes caused AChE activity to decrease abo...
Show BibTeX
@article{s_2010_sinusoidal_elf_magnetic_fields_287,
author = {Ravera S and Bianco B and Cugnoli C and Panfoli I and Calzia D and Morelli A and Pepe IM},
title = {Sinusoidal ELF magnetic fields affect acetylcholinesterase activity in cerebellum synaptosomal membranes},
year = {2010},
doi = {10.1002/bem.20563},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bem.20563},
}