Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of 3 Hz and 60 Hz Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields on Anxiety-Like Behaviors, Memory Retention of Passive Avoidance and Electrophysiological Properties of Male Rats med./bio.

Published in: J Lasers Med Sci 2016; 7 (2): 120-125

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of exposure of male rats to a 3 Hz or 60 Hz electro-magnetic field on memory, anxiety and neuronal activity in the brain should be investigated.

Background/further details

A total of 90 rats were divided into 3 groups: 1) exposure to the 3 Hz magnetic field (n=30), 2) exposure to the 60 Hz magnetic field (n=30) and 3) sham exposure (n=30). For further 23 rats used in neuronal activity investigations, the subdivision is not clear.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 3 Hz
Exposure duration: 2 hours/day during 2 exposure trails of 4 days each, separated by an interval of 2 days
only for anxiety-like behavior tests
Exposure 2: 3 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 hours
Exposure 3: 60 Hz
Exposure duration: 2 hours/day during 2 exposure trails of 4 days each, separated by an interval of 2 days
only for anxiety-like behavior tests
Exposure 4: 60 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 hours

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 3 Hz
Type
Exposure duration 2 hours/day during 2 exposure trails of 4 days each, separated by an interval of 2 days
Additional info only for anxiety-like behavior tests
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber plastic cage without any metallic cover in shielded room
Setup the antenna was placed at the center of an aluminum mesh shielded room with dimensions of 1.5 m Œ 2 m Œ 2 m; the center of the animal cage was placed at a distance of 40 cm from effective radiative surface of the antenna on a wooden stage with a distance of 50 cm from the ground; room temperature was kept at 23 ± 2.0°C
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 4 mT - calibration - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 3 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 2 hours
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 4 mT - calibration - -

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 60 Hz
Type
Exposure duration 2 hours/day during 2 exposure trails of 4 days each, separated by an interval of 2 days
Additional info only for anxiety-like behavior tests
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 4 mT - calibration - -

Exposure 4

Main characteristics
Frequency 60 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 2 hours
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 4 mT - calibration - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

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

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Directly after exposure, the locomotor activity of rats in both exposure groups (groups 1 with 3 Hz and group 2 with 50 Hz) was significantly decreased compared to the sham exposure group. Moreover, a significant reduction in the action potential rate of brain neurons was found in both exposure groups compared to the sham exposure group.
Proteome analysis in the brain revealed changes in protein expression, but no specifications on significance and affected genes were given.
All other parameters did not show any significant differences between the groups.
The authors conclude that exposure of rats to a 3 Hz or 60 Hz electro-magnetic field might affect motor activity and neuron action potential rate in the brain.

Study character:

Study funded by

Related articles