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 50 Hz magnetic fields impaired spatial memory in mice, suggesting everyday electrical frequencies may affect cognitive function.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed mice to magnetic fields from power lines for 25 days, then tested their memory using mazes. Long-term exposure impaired the mice's ability to recognize new environments, suggesting that prolonged exposure to common household magnetic fields may interfere with spatial memory abilities.
Why This Matters
This study provides compelling evidence that the magnetic fields we encounter daily from power lines, electrical wiring, and household appliances can impair cognitive function with prolonged exposure. The 50 Hz frequency tested here is exactly what's used in European electrical systems, and 25 Hz falls within the range of harmonics and variations common in North American 60 Hz systems. What makes this research particularly significant is that it demonstrates duration-dependent effects. The mice showed no memory problems after one week of exposure, but clear cognitive impairment after 25 days at the same field strength. This suggests that chronic, everyday exposure to ELF magnetic fields may be more concerning than brief encounters. The science demonstrates that these fields can cross the blood-brain barrier and interfere with normal brain function, supporting growing concerns about the neurological effects of our electromagnetic environment.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 0.6,0.9 mG
- Source/Device
- 25 Hz
- Exposure Duration
- 7 (short term) or 25 days (long term)
Exposure Context
This study used 0.6,0.9 mG for magnetic fields:
- 30Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 6Kx 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
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_251,
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/},
}