Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Synaptic neurone activity under applied 50 Hz alternating magnetic fields med./bio.

Published in: Comp Biochem Physiol C Pharmacol Toxicol Endocrinol 1999; 124 (1): 99-107
Journal partially peer-reviewed/peer-review process unclear

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effect of 50 Hz magnetic field of 1-15 mT intensity on the synaptic neuron activity mediated by acetylcholine and glutamate.

Background/further details

The experiments were performed on 40 single neuron units from the sub-oesophageal ganglia of the snail (Helix aspersa). To study neuron activity a series of experiments was performed by applying glutamate and acetylcholine as putative neurotransmitters. Caffeine was also applied. Different Ringer solutions have been applied (K+ free; five times the normal K+ concentration; Ca2+ free; five times the normal Ca2+ concentration).

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: 15 s

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration 15 s
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber Faraday cage
Setup pair of Helmholtz coils; samples placed between the coils
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 1 mT peak value measured - 1 - 15 mT

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • before exposure
  • during exposure
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The applied 50 Hz alternating magnetic field did not modify the synaptic neuron activity induced by glutamate or acetylcholine on neurones. The applied 50 Hz magnetic fields mimiced the synaptic effect of glutamate. A mimic effect was also observed for the neuronal effects of 50 Hz magnetic fields and caffeine. The application of Ringer solutions suggested that Ca2+ ions were involved in the elicited responses to either caffeine, glutamate or 50 Hz magnetic fields.
The authors concluded that the mimic induced effects for 50 Hz magnetic fields, caffeine and glutamate on neurones corrobate that Ca2+ ions are the cytosolic effectors of the applied 50 Hz magnetic field interaction with neuron plasma membrane.

Study character:

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