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Increased vascular permeability in the circumventricular organs of adult rat brain due to stimulation by extremely low frequency magnetic fields.

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Gutiérrez-Mercado YK, Cañedo-Dorantes L, Gómez-Pinedo U, Serrano-Luna G, Bañuelos-Pineda J, Feria-Velasco A. · 2013

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EMF exposure at 0.66 mT compromised the blood-brain barrier in rats, potentially allowing harmful substances into brain tissue.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed rats to 120 Hz magnetic fields and found the fields made brain blood vessels leaky and dilated. This suggests EMF exposure might weaken the blood-brain barrier, which normally protects the brain from harmful substances in the bloodstream.

Why This Matters

This research provides concerning evidence that extremely low frequency magnetic fields can compromise the blood-brain barrier, one of our body's most critical protective mechanisms. The study used magnetic field exposure of 0.66 milliTesla at 120 Hz, which is within the range of fields generated by some household appliances and power systems. What makes this particularly significant is that the blood-brain barrier exists specifically to keep potentially harmful substances out of brain tissue. The science demonstrates that EMF exposure can make this barrier more permeable, essentially weakening our brain's natural defenses. While this was an animal study, the biological mechanisms involved are shared across mammalian species, making these findings relevant to human health concerns about EMF exposure from our increasingly electrified environment.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
0.66 mG
Source/Device
120 Hz

Exposure Context

This study used 0.66 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: 0.66 mGExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Slight Concern rangeFCC limit is 3,030x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 120 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 120 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

In the current study, the effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) MF on the capillaries of some circumventricular organs (CVOs) are demonstrated; a vasodilator effect is reported as well as an increase in their permeability to non-liposoluble substances.

For this study, 96 Wistar male rats (250 g body mass) were used and divided into three groups of 32 ...

An increase in capillary permeability to CC was detected in the ELF-MF-exposed group as well as a si...

It is important to investigate the mechanisms involved in the phenomena reported here in order to explain the effects of ELF-MF on brain vasculatur

Cite This Study
Gutiérrez-Mercado YK, Cañedo-Dorantes L, Gómez-Pinedo U, Serrano-Luna G, Bañuelos-Pineda J, Feria-Velasco A. (2013). Increased vascular permeability in the circumventricular organs of adult rat brain due to stimulation by extremely low frequency magnetic fields. Bioelectromagnetics. 34(2):145-155, 2013.
Show BibTeX
@article{yk_2013_increased_vascular_permeability_in_650,
  author = {Gutiérrez-Mercado YK and Cañedo-Dorantes L and Gómez-Pinedo U and Serrano-Luna G and Bañuelos-Pineda J and Feria-Velasco A.},
  title = {Increased vascular permeability in the circumventricular organs of adult rat brain due to stimulation by extremely low frequency magnetic fields.},
  year = {2013},
  doi = {10.1002/bem.21757},
  url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bem.21757},
}
DOI: 10.1002/bem.21757

Cited By (6 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2013 study found that 120 Hz magnetic fields increased blood vessel permeability in rat brain tissue. The research showed these extremely low frequency fields made brain capillaries more leaky and caused blood vessel dilation, suggesting potential weakening of the protective blood-brain barrier.
Research demonstrates that extremely low frequency magnetic field exposure at 120 Hz causes significant brain blood vessel dilation in rats. The study found increased vascular area in exposed animals compared to control groups, indicating that ELF fields can physically alter brain blood vessel structure.
EMF exposure at 120 Hz increases vascular permeability in circumventricular organs of the brain. These specialized brain regions showed leaky blood vessels and increased capillary dilation after magnetic field exposure, effects not seen in unexposed control animals.
120 Hz magnetic fields compromise brain vascular protection by increasing capillary permeability and causing blood vessel dilation. This research suggests that extremely low frequency magnetic field exposure may weaken the brain's natural barrier against harmful substances entering from the bloodstream.
Yes, power frequency magnetic fields at 120 Hz can alter brain capillary function by increasing permeability and causing vasodilation. The 2013 rat study found these vascular changes specifically in brain regions that normally help regulate the blood-brain barrier's protective function.