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Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields modulate nitric oxide signaling in rat brain.

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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

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Exposing rats to a 60 Hz, 2 mT magnetic field for 5 days increased nitric oxide levels and nNOS-immunoreactive neurons in several brain regions.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers designed the study to confirm that extremely low-frequency magnetic fields affect neuronal NOS in several brain regions and to investigate the correlation between nitric oxide and nNOS activation. Exposure of rats to a 2 mT, 60 Hz ELF-MF for 5 days resulted in increases of nitric oxide levels in parallel with cGMP elevations in the cerebral cortex, striatum, and hippocampus. The numbers of nNOS-immunoreactive neurons were significantly increased in those cerebral areas in ELF-MF-exposed rats. Staining and electron microscopy showed no significant differences in the morphology or number of neurons in the cerebral cortex, striatum, and hippocampus.

Why This Matters

The study investigated neuronal NOS in several brain regions, examining the correlation between nitric oxide and nNOS activation. The researchers suggested that the rise in nitric oxide could be due to the increased expression and activation of nNOS in cells. The authors noted that ELF-MF created by electric power systems may induce various physiological changes, based on nitric oxide signaling in physiological and pathological states.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
2 mT
Source/Device
60 Hz
Exposure Duration
5 days

Exposure Context

This study used 2 mT 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: 2 mTExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)This level is 10 times the FCC limit
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 60 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic 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.

Cite This Study
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). Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields modulate nitric oxide signaling in rat brain. Bioelectromagnetics. 33(7):568-574, 2012.
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},
}
DOI: 10.1002/bem.21715

Cited By (44 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Rats were exposed to a 2 mT, 60 Hz ELF-MF for 5 days.
The study examined the cerebral cortex, striatum, and hippocampus.
Cresyl violet staining and electron microscopic evaluation revealed no significant differences in the morphology and number of neurons in the cerebral cortex, striatum, and hippocampus.
The researchers suggested that the increase in nitric oxide could be due to the increased expression and activation of nNOS in cells.
The authors suggested that ELF-MF created by electric power systems may induce various physiological changes, based on nitric oxide signaling in physiological and pathological states.