Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of extremely low frequency magnetic field on anxiety level and spatial memory of adult rats med./bio.

Published in: Chin Med J 2011; 124 (20): 3362-3366

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of chronic exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields on the anxiety level and spatial memory of adult rats.

Background/further details

30 rats were divided into three groups (each group n=10): 1) control group, 2) exposure group (1h/day) 3) exposure group (4 h/day).

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 1 h/day or 4 h/day, 7 days/week for 4 weeks

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 1 h/day or 4 h/day, 7 days/week for 4 weeks
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup pair of Helmholtz coils with a diameter of 80 cm and a separation of 40 cm; rats placed in plastic cages with organic plastic covers in the center of the coil system
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 2 mT - measured - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Rats of the third group (exposed for 4 h/day) had increased anxiety-like behaviors with unaltered locomotor activity. In the Morris water maze test, rats of the same group (4h/day) exhibited reduced latency to find the hidden platform and improved long-term memory for the former location of the platform without changes in short-term memory and locomotor activity.
The authors concluded that a chronic exposure to a extremely low frequency magnetic field has an anxiogenic effect on rats, and promoting effects on spatial learning and long-term retention of spatial memory.

Study character:

Study funded by

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