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 AbstractPower-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
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:
- 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_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},
}