Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields modulate nitric oxide signaling in rat brain.
Cho SI, Nam YS, Chu LY, Lee JH, Bang JS, Kim HR, Kim HC, Lee YJ, Kim HD, Sul JD, Kim D, Chung YH, Jeong JH. · 2012
View Original AbstractPower-frequency magnetic fields alter brain chemistry by increasing nitric oxide production in key brain regions, challenging assumptions about biological safety.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed rats to 60 Hz magnetic fields (from household electrical systems) for five days and found increased nitric oxide production in key brain regions. This brain chemical affects blood flow and neuron communication, suggesting everyday power-frequency magnetic field exposure may alter fundamental brain chemistry.
Why This Matters
This study reveals something concerning about the magnetic fields we encounter daily from electrical wiring and appliances. The 2 mT exposure level used here is actually quite high compared to typical household levels (which range from 0.01 to 0.2 mT), but it demonstrates that power-frequency magnetic fields can directly alter brain chemistry. What makes this research particularly significant is that nitric oxide plays dual roles in the brain - it's essential for normal function but can become harmful when overproduced. The researchers found increased nitric oxide production across multiple brain regions, suggesting these effects aren't isolated to one area. While the study doesn't prove harm, it shows that ELF magnetic fields are biologically active in the brain, contradicting the long-held assumption that non-ionizing radiation at these frequencies is biologically inert. The reality is that your brain responds to the same 60 Hz frequency that powers your home.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 2 mG
- Source/Device
- 60 Hz
- Exposure Duration
- 5 days
Exposure Context
This study used 2 mG for magnetic fields:
- 100Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 20Kx 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 present study was designed to confirm that ELF‐MF affects neuronal NOS (nNOS) in several brain regions and to investigate the correlation between NO and nNOS activation.
The exposure of rats to a 2 mT, 60 Hz ELF‐MF for 5 days resulted in increases of NO levels in parall...
Based on NO signaling in physiological and pathological states, ELF‐MF created by electric power systems may induce various physiological changes in modern life.
Show BibTeX
@article{si_2012_extremely_lowfrequency_magnetic_fields_229,
author = {Cho SI and Nam YS and Chu LY and Lee JH and Bang JS and Kim HR and Kim HC and Lee YJ and Kim HD and Sul JD and Kim D and Chung YH and Jeong JH. },
title = {Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields modulate nitric oxide signaling in rat brain.},
year = {2012},
doi = {10.1002/bem.21715},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bem.21715},
}