8,700 Studies Reviewed. 87.0% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Shield Your Body
Brain & Nervous System

Age-dependent effects of ELF-MF on oxidative stress in the brain of mongolian gerbils.

Bioeffects Seen

Selaković V, Rauš Balind S, Radenović L, Prolić Z, Janać B. · 2013

View Original Abstract
Share:

Power-frequency magnetic fields caused dose-dependent brain oxidative stress in this animal study, with older subjects showing greater damage and slower recovery.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Scientists exposed gerbils to power line frequency magnetic fields for seven days. The exposure increased brain cell damage in all tested regions, with stronger effects in older animals and at higher field strengths. Younger brains recovered better after exposure ended, suggesting age affects vulnerability.

Why This Matters

This study provides compelling evidence that power-frequency magnetic fields can cause measurable brain damage through oxidative stress mechanisms. The exposure levels tested (0.1 to 0.5 mT) are significantly higher than typical household exposures but within the range you might encounter very close to power lines or electrical equipment. What makes this research particularly concerning is the age-dependent vulnerability it reveals - older subjects showed both greater initial damage and slower recovery. This aligns with a growing body of research suggesting that EMF effects may compound over time and that developing or aging nervous systems may be especially susceptible. The fact that some recovery occurred after exposure ended offers hope, but the incomplete recovery in older animals suggests that chronic exposure could lead to cumulative brain damage.

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:

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: 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mGExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the No Concern rangeFCC limit is 20,000x higher than this level
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

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.

Cite This Study
Selaković V, Rauš Balind S, Radenović L, Prolić Z, Janać B. (2013). Age-dependent effects of ELF-MF on oxidative stress in the brain of mongolian gerbils. Cell Biochem Biophys. 66(3):513-521, 2013.
Show BibTeX
@article{v_2013_agedependent_effects_of_elfmf_459,
  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},
}
DOI: 10.1007/s12013-012-9498-z

Cited By (27 papers)

View all 27 citing papers on Semantic Scholar

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, 50 Hz power line magnetic fields significantly increased oxidative stress in all brain regions of gerbils after seven days of exposure. The brain damage was stronger at higher field strengths and affected older animals more severely than younger ones.
Yes, middle-aged gerbils showed stronger brain oxidative stress from ELF magnetic fields compared to adult gerbils. Three days after exposure ended, adult gerbils recovered almost completely while middle-aged animals still showed lingering effects from the magnetic field exposure.
Brain oxidative stress from 50 Hz magnetic fields begins recovering within three days after exposure stops. Adult gerbils showed nearly complete recovery of brain function, while middle-aged animals had slower recovery with some effects still present.
The 2013 gerbil study found that 0.1 mT (millitesla) 50 Hz magnetic fields caused significant brain oxidative stress. The brain damage effects were directly correlated with magnetic field strength, meaning stronger fields caused more severe oxidative stress.
Yes, 50 Hz magnetic fields increased oxidative stress in all tested brain regions of gerbils. The study found no brain area was protected from the effects, with all regions showing significant increases in cellular damage markers after seven days of exposure.