Age-Dependent Effects of ELF-MF on Oxidative Stress in the Brain of Mongolian Gerbils.
Selaković V, Rauš Balind S, Radenović L, Prolić Z, Janać B. · 2013
View Original AbstractMagnetic field exposure increases brain oxidative stress more severely in older subjects, with effects lasting days after exposure ends.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed young adult and middle-aged gerbils to 50 Hz magnetic fields at three different intensities for seven days, then measured oxidative stress markers in their brains. They found that magnetic field exposure increased oxidative stress in all brain regions tested, with stronger effects at higher field intensities and in older animals. The effects were still detectable three days after exposure ended, particularly in the middle-aged gerbils.
Why This Matters
This study adds important evidence to our understanding of how age affects EMF sensitivity, particularly regarding oxidative stress in the brain. The magnetic field strengths tested (0.1 to 0.5 mT) are significantly higher than typical household exposures but within ranges found near power lines or certain occupational settings. What makes this research particularly significant is the clear demonstration that older subjects showed both stronger initial responses and slower recovery from EMF exposure. The science demonstrates that our brains may become more vulnerable to electromagnetic stress as we age, which has important implications given our aging population's increasing exposure to EMF sources. The fact that effects persisted for days after exposure ended suggests these aren't just temporary cellular responses but potentially meaningful biological changes.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mG
- Source/Device
- 50 Hz
- Exposure Duration
- 7 days
Exposure Context
This study used 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mG for magnetic fields:
- 5Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 1Kx 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 aim of study was to investigate the effects of extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF; 50 Hz; 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mT) on oxidative stress in the brain of 3- (adult) and 10-month-old (middle-aged) gerbils.
Nitric oxide (NO) level, superoxide (O2 −) production, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and inde...
In all gerbils, ELF-MF significantly increased oxidative stress in all tested brain regions. This ef...
These findings pointed out the ability of ELF-MF to induce age- and magnetic induction-dependent modification of oxidative stress in the brain.
Show BibTeX
@article{v_2013_agedependent_effects_of_elfmf_297,
author = {Selaković V and Rauš Balind S and Radenović L and Prolić Z and Janać B.},
title = {Age-Dependent Effects of ELF-MF on Oxidative Stress in the Brain of Mongolian Gerbils.},
year = {2013},
doi = {10.1007/s12013-012-9498-z},
url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12013-012-9498-z},
}