Long-term exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields impairs spatial recognition memory in mice.
Fu Y, Wang C, Wang J, Lei Y, Ma Y. · 2008
View Original AbstractLong-term exposure to power-frequency magnetic fields impaired spatial memory in mice, suggesting chronic EMF exposure may affect navigation abilities.
Plain English Summary
Chinese researchers exposed mice to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (the same type emitted by power lines and household appliances) for either 7 or 25 days, then tested their spatial memory using a maze. While short-term exposure had no effect, mice exposed to 50 Hz fields for 25 days showed impaired ability to recognize new areas in the maze. This suggests that chronic exposure to power-frequency magnetic fields may interfere with spatial memory and navigation abilities.
Why This Matters
This study adds to growing evidence that ELF magnetic fields can affect brain function, specifically cognitive abilities like spatial memory that we rely on for navigation and environmental awareness. The 50 Hz frequency tested here is identical to the power grid frequency used across most of the world (60 Hz in North America), making these findings directly relevant to everyday exposures from electrical wiring, appliances, and power lines. What makes this research particularly concerning is that the cognitive impairment only appeared after chronic exposure, suggesting that the effects may be cumulative and not immediately apparent. The science demonstrates that our brains are sensitive to these fields in ways we're only beginning to understand, and this study provides another piece of evidence that long-term exposure deserves serious consideration in how we design our electrical infrastructure and living spaces.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 25 or 50 Hz Duration: 7 or 25 days
Study Details
In the present study, we investigated the short- and long-term effects of extremely low-frequency (ELF) magnetic fields on spatial recognition memory in mice by using a two-trial recognition Y-maze that is based on the innate tendency of rodents to explore novel environments.
Mice were exposed to 25 or 50 Hz electromagnetic fields for either 7 (short term) or 25 days (long t...
The results indicated that neither short- nor long-term exposure to magnetic fields affected the loc...
Our findings suggest that ELF magnetic fields impair spatial recognition memory in the Y-maze depending on the field strength and/or duration of exposure.
Show BibTeX
@article{y_2008_longterm_exposure_to_extremely_1743,
author = {Fu Y and Wang C and Wang J and Lei Y and Ma Y.},
title = {Long-term exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields impairs spatial recognition memory in mice.},
year = {2008},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18346171/},
}