Effects of exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on spatial and passive avoidance learning and memory, anxiety-like behavior and oxidative stress in male rats.
Karimi SA, Salehi I, Shykhi T, Zare S, Komaki A. · 2019
View Original AbstractExposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields improved memory retention in adult male rats but was also associated with signs of anxiety and oxidative stress.
Plain English Summary
Seventy-two adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group, a sham exposure group, and ELF-EMF exposure groups at 1, 100, 500, and 2000 μT. After 60 days of exposure at 2 hours per day, researchers assessed anxiety-like behavior, spatial learning and memory, passive avoidance learning, and oxidative stress markers. Rats in the 100 and 2000 μT groups spent more time in the target zone during the spatial reference memory test. The researchers suggested that ELF-EMF exposure may improve memory retention but not acquisition, and may contribute to anxiety or oxidative stress.
Why This Matters
In the passive avoidance learning retention test, step-through latency in the ELF-EMF exposure groups was significantly greater than in the control group. In the elevated plus maze test, exposure at 500 and 2000 μT decreased the percentage of entries into the open arms, indicating anxiety-like behavior. Malondialdehyde concentration, a marker of oxidative stress, was increased in the 100 and 500 μT exposure groups. The authors framed their memory findings cautiously, stating the results "may allow the conclusion" that ELF-EMF improves retention but not acquisition.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 0.001, 0.1, 0.5, 2 mT
- Exposure Duration
- 60 days (2 h/day)
Exposure Context
This study used 0.001, 0.1, 0.5, 2 mT for magnetic fields:
- 50x above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 10x 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
In the present study, we explored the effects of ELF-EMF on oxidative stress and behaviors of rats.
Seventy-two adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into following groups, control, sham exposu...
During spatial reference memory test, animals in ELF-EMF exposure groups (100, and 2000 μT) spent mo...
Our results may allow the conclusion that exposure to ELF-EMFs can improve memory retention (but not acquisition) in the adult male rats. Although exposure to ELF-EMFs could be a factor in the development of anxious state or oxidative stress.
Show BibTeX
@article{sa_2019_effects_of_exposure_to_395,
author = {Karimi SA and Salehi I and Shykhi T and Zare S and Komaki A.},
title = {Effects of exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on spatial and passive avoidance learning and memory, anxiety-like behavior and oxidative stress in male rats.},
year = {2019},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016643281831074X},
}