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Brain & Nervous System

Effects of 15 Hz square wave magnetic fields on the voltage-gated sodium and potassium channels in prefrontal cortex pyramidal neurons.

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Zheng Y, Dou JR, Gao Y, Dong L, Li G. · 2017

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Magnetic fields at power line frequencies directly disrupt the electrical channels in brain neurons, potentially affecting normal brain function.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

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:

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: 1 mGExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Severe Concern rangeFCC limit is 2,000x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 15 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 15 HzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic 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.

Cite This Study
Zheng Y, Dou JR, Gao Y, Dong L, Li G. (2017). Effects of 15 Hz square wave magnetic fields on the voltage-gated sodium and potassium channels in prefrontal cortex pyramidal neurons. Int J Radiat Biol. 93(4):449-455, 2017.
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/},
}
PubMed: 27924669

Cited By (14 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2017 study found that 15 Hz magnetic fields (the frequency emitted by power lines) disrupted sodium and potassium channels in mouse brain neurons. This interference reduced channel activity and altered how electrical signals flow through nerve cells, potentially affecting normal brain communication.
Research shows 15 Hz magnetic fields significantly depress sodium and potassium channel current densities in prefrontal cortex neurons. The exposure altered both activation kinetics and inactivation properties of these crucial channels that control electrical signaling in brain cells.
Mouse prefrontal cortex neurons exposed to 15 Hz magnetic fields showed disrupted ion channel function. The study found reduced channel activity and altered electrical properties, suggesting that power line frequency exposure could interfere with normal brain cell communication in this critical brain region.
Researchers suggest sialic acid, an important component of sodium and potassium channels, may be responsible for the observed effects of 15 Hz magnetic fields on neurons. The study indicates this molecule could be the key target through which EMF exposure alters ion channel structure and function.
Yes, laboratory research demonstrates that 15 Hz magnetic fields (commonly found around power lines) can alter the fundamental electrical properties of brain neurons. The study showed these fields disrupted ion channels essential for nerve cell communication, suggesting potential impacts from everyday EMF exposure.