Effects of 15 Hz square wave magnetic fields on the voltage-gated sodium and potassium channels in prefrontal cortex pyramidal neurons.
Zheng Y, Dou JR, Gao Y, Dong L, Li G. · 2017
View Original AbstractMagnetic fields at power line frequencies directly disrupt the electrical channels in brain neurons, potentially affecting normal brain function.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed brain neurons from mice to a 15 Hz magnetic field (the type found around power lines) and measured how it affected the channels that allow electrical signals to flow through nerve cells. The magnetic field disrupted these crucial channels, reducing their activity and changing how they function. This suggests that everyday magnetic field exposure could interfere with normal brain cell communication.
Why This Matters
This study provides direct evidence that extremely low frequency magnetic fields can disrupt the fundamental electrical processes in brain neurons. The 15 Hz frequency and 1 milliTesla strength tested here are well within the range of fields you encounter near power lines, electrical appliances, and some occupational settings. What makes this research particularly significant is that it examines the precise mechanisms by which magnetic fields affect brain function - specifically the ion channels that control nerve cell firing. The researchers found that magnetic field exposure didn't just influence neurons generally, but altered the specific molecular machinery responsible for electrical signaling. This adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that our brains are more sensitive to magnetic field exposure than regulatory agencies have acknowledged.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 1 mG
- Source/Device
- 15 Hz
Exposure Context
This study used 1 mG for magnetic fields:
- 50Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 10Kx 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 present study aimed to measure the effects of magnetic fields on ion channels in cortical pyramidal neurons.
Cortical pyramidal neurons of Kunming mice were isolated and then subjected to 15 Hz, 1 mT square wa...
We found that magnetic field exposure depressed channel current densities, and altered the activatio...
Magnetic field exposure alters ion channel function in neurons. It is likely that the structures of sodium and potassium channels were influenced by the applied field. Sialic acid, which is an important component of the channels, could be the molecule responsible for the reported results.
Show BibTeX
@article{y_2017_effects_of_15_hz_738,
author = {Zheng Y and Dou JR and Gao Y and Dong L and Li G.},
title = {Effects of 15 Hz square wave magnetic fields on the voltage-gated sodium and potassium channels in prefrontal cortex pyramidal neurons.},
year = {2017},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27924669/},
}