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Response of Hippocampal Neurons and Glial Cells to Alternating Magnetic Field in Gerbils Submitted to Global Cerebral Ischemia.

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Rauš S, Selaković V, Manojlović-Stojanoski M, Radenović L, Prolić Z, Janać B. · 2013

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Magnetic fields at 0.5 mT reduced brain damage after stroke in gerbils, suggesting some EMF exposures may have protective effects.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed gerbils to 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) for 7 days after inducing stroke-like brain damage. The magnetic field exposure actually reduced brain cell death in the hippocampus, the brain region most critical for memory formation. This suggests that certain magnetic field exposures might have protective effects on brain tissue after injury.

Why This Matters

This study presents a fascinating counterpoint to concerns about EMF exposure by demonstrating potential neuroprotective effects. The 0.5 mT magnetic field strength used is roughly 10 times higher than what you'd typically encounter near household appliances, yet significantly lower than MRI machines. What makes this research particularly intriguing is that it challenges the assumption that all EMF exposure is harmful. The science demonstrates that extremely low-frequency magnetic fields can actually stimulate beneficial cellular responses, including activation of brain support cells that help protect neurons. However, this was a very specific scenario involving brain injury recovery, not everyday health effects in normal brains. The reality is that EMF effects are highly context-dependent, varying by frequency, intensity, duration, and biological state. While this doesn't mean you should seek out magnetic field exposure, it does illustrate why blanket statements about EMF harm oversimplify a complex biological relationship.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
0.5 mG
Source/Device
50 Hz
Exposure Duration
7 days

Exposure Context

This study used 0.5 mG for magnetic fields:

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 Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.5 mGExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Slight Concern rangeFCC limit is 4,000x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 50 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 50 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The purpose of this study was to determine whether exposure to an extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF, 50 Hz) affects the outcome of postischemic damage in the hippocampus of Mongolian gerbils.

After 10-min bilateral carotid occlusion, the gerbils were continuously exposed to ELF-MF (average m...

ELF-MF per se did not induce any morphological changes, while 10-min global cerebral ischemia led to...

Cite This Study
Rauš S, Selaković V, Manojlović-Stojanoski M, Radenović L, Prolić Z, Janać B. (2013). Response of Hippocampal Neurons and Glial Cells to Alternating Magnetic Field in Gerbils Submitted to Global Cerebral Ischemia. Neurotox Res. 23(1):79-91, 2013.
Show BibTeX
@article{s_2013_response_of_hippocampal_neurons_284,
  author = {Rauš S and Selaković V and Manojlović-Stojanoski M and Radenović L and Prolić Z and Janać B. },
  title = {Response of Hippocampal Neurons and Glial Cells to Alternating Magnetic Field in Gerbils Submitted to Global Cerebral Ischemia.},
  year = {2013},
  doi = {10.1007/s12640-012-9333-8},
  url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12640-012-9333-8},
}
DOI: 10.1007/s12640-012-9333-8

Cited By (40 papers)

View all 40 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

Research suggests 50 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) may actually protect brain cells after stroke-like damage. A 2013 study found gerbils exposed to these fields had significantly less brain cell death in the hippocampus, the brain's memory center, compared to unexposed animals.
One study found that 50 Hz magnetic field exposure for 7 days after stroke-like brain damage reduced cell death in the hippocampus by activating protective brain cells called astrocytes and microglia. However, this was an animal study and more research is needed in humans.
A 2013 study found 50 Hz magnetic fields alone caused no brain damage in healthy gerbils. Surprisingly, when brain injury occurred, the magnetic fields appeared protective, reducing cell death in the hippocampus. This suggests complex effects that depend on brain health status.
Research shows 50 Hz magnetic fields (power line frequency) may protect the hippocampus, your brain's primary memory center, after injury. In one study, animals exposed to these fields after stroke-like damage had significantly less memory-related brain cell death than unexposed animals.
Effects vary by frequency and brain health. One study found 50 Hz magnetic fields caused no damage to healthy brains but actually protected brain cells after stroke-like injury, reducing cell death in the hippocampus and activating protective glial cells.