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Chronic exposure to low-intensity magnetic field improves acquisition and maintenance of memory.

Bioeffects Seen

Liu T, Wang S, He L, Ye K. · 2008

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Chronic exposure to a 50-Hz, 2 mT magnetic field improved rats' ability to learn and retain spatial memory in a maze test.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers tested spatial learning and memory in rats using the Morris water maze after four weeks of daily exposure to a 50-Hz magnetic field of 2 mT for either one or four hours. Chronic exposure reduced the time rats took to find a hidden platform and improved long-term memory of the platform's former location. Short-term memory and motor activity were not affected.

Why This Matters

The researchers described their findings as the first indication that chronic exposure to this type of magnetic field can positively affect the acquisition and maintenance of spatial memory. The improvement was specific to long-term memory and learning speed, as short-term memory and motor activity remained unchanged.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
2 mT
Source/Device
50 Hz
Exposure Duration
1 or 4 h for 4 weeks

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 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

In this study, we examined the changes in spatial learning and memory by the Morris water maze test after 4 weeks of daily exposure of rats to a 50-Hz magnetic field of 2 mT for either 1 or 4 h.

We found that chronic exposure to ELF MF reduced the latency to find the hidden platform and improve...

These findings for the first time indicate that chronic exposure to ELF MF exerts a positive effect on the acquisition and maintenance of spatial memory

Cite This Study
Liu T, Wang S, He L, Ye K. (2008). Chronic exposure to low-intensity magnetic field improves acquisition and maintenance of memory. Neuroreport. 19(5):549-552, 2008b.
Show BibTeX
@article{t_2008_chronic_exposure_to_lowintensity_276,
  author = {Liu T and Wang S and He L and Ye K.},
  title = {Chronic exposure to low-intensity magnetic field improves acquisition and maintenance of memory.},
  year = {2008},
  
  url = {https://journals.lww.com/neuroreport/Abstract/2008/03260/Chronic_exposure_to_low_intensity_magnetic_field.8.aspx},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Rats were exposed to a 50-Hz magnetic field of 2 mT.
Exposure lasted four weeks of daily sessions of either one or four hours.
Chronic exposure reduced the time it took rats to find the hidden platform.
Short-term memory and motor activity were not affected by the exposure.
The exposure improved long-term memory of the former location of the platform.