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Extremely low frequency magnetic field protects injured spinal cord from the microglia- and iron-induced tissue damage.

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Dey S, Bose S, Kumar S, Rathore R, Mathur R, Jain S. · 2017

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Low-frequency magnetic fields at household appliance levels helped rats recover from spinal cord injuries by reducing inflammation and promoting healing.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed rats with severed spinal cords to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (50 Hz at 17.96 µT) for 2 hours daily over 8 weeks. The magnetic field treatment significantly improved locomotion and reduced inflammation, tissue damage, and iron buildup at the injury site compared to untreated injured rats. This suggests that certain EMF exposures might actually help the nervous system heal from traumatic injuries.

Why This Matters

This study presents a fascinating paradox in EMF research. While much attention focuses on potential harmful effects of electromagnetic fields, here we see evidence that specific ELF magnetic field parameters can actually promote healing in severe spinal cord injuries. The 17.96 µT exposure level used is roughly comparable to what you might experience very close to some household appliances or power lines. What makes this particularly intriguing is the mechanism - the magnetic field appeared to reduce harmful inflammation and iron accumulation while promoting blood vessel growth, all critical factors in spinal cord recovery. This research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that EMF bioeffects aren't simply 'good' or 'bad,' but depend heavily on specific parameters like frequency, intensity, duration, and timing. The science demonstrates that electromagnetic fields can have profound biological effects, and understanding these mechanisms becomes crucial as we navigate our increasingly electromagnetic world.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
0.01796 mG
Source/Device
50 Hz
Exposure Duration
2 h daily for 8 weeks

Exposure Context

This study used 0.01796 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: 0.01796 mGExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the No Concern rangeFCC limit is 111,359x 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 present study demonstrates the potential of extremely low frequency magnetic field to attenuate microglia- and iron-induced secondary injury in SCI rats

Complete transection of the spinal cord (T13 level) was performed in male Wistar rats and subsequent...

A significant improvement in locomotion was observed in rats of the SCI + MF group as compared to th...

These novel findings suggest that exposure to ELF-MF reduces lesion volume, inflammation and iron content in addition to facilitation of angiogenesis following SCI.

Cite This Study
Dey S, Bose S, Kumar S, Rathore R, Mathur R, Jain S. (2017). Extremely low frequency magnetic field protects injured spinal cord from the microglia- and iron-induced tissue damage. Electromagn Biol Med. 2017 Nov 15:1-11. doi: 10.1080/15368378.2017.1389750.
Show BibTeX
@article{s_2017_extremely_low_frequency_magnetic_631,
  author = {Dey S and Bose S and Kumar S and Rathore R and Mathur R and Jain S.},
  title = {Extremely low frequency magnetic field protects injured spinal cord from the microglia- and iron-induced tissue damage.},
  year = {2017},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29140736/},
}
PubMed: 29140736

Cited By (20 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2017 study found that 50 Hz magnetic fields at 17.96 µT significantly improved locomotion in rats with severed spinal cords. Daily 2-hour exposures for 8 weeks reduced inflammation and tissue damage while promoting healing at the injury site.
Research shows that extremely low frequency magnetic fields (50 Hz) significantly reduce inflammation in injured spinal cords. The study found decreased microglia, macrophages, and inflammatory tissue damage compared to untreated spinal cord injuries in rats.
The study used 2-hour daily magnetic field exposures (50 Hz at 17.96 µT) for 8 weeks to treat spinal cord injuries in rats. This treatment schedule produced significant improvements in locomotion and reduced tissue damage.
Yes, 50 Hz magnetic field treatment significantly reduced iron content at spinal cord injury sites in rats. This reduction in iron buildup, along with decreased inflammation, contributed to better healing and improved movement recovery.
Research demonstrates that 50 Hz magnetic field exposure increases vascular endothelial growth factor expression around spinal cord injuries. This suggests the magnetic fields promote angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation), which aids in tissue repair and recovery.