Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of 60 Hz electromagnetic field exposure on APP695 transcription levels in differentiating human neuroblastoma cells med./bio.

Published in: Bioelectrochemistry 2002; 57 (1): 9-15

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the possibility of an association between the extremely low frequency electromagnetic field exposure and Alzheimer's disease at the cellular level in vitro.

Background/further details

Amyloid precursor protein (APP) was determined in this study as its cleavage leads to beta-amyloid. Beta-amyloid is the main constituent of amyloid plaques in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients and it is responsible for neurons death.
Additionally, the influence of differentiation age of the investigated cell lines (2, 10, and 16 days) and several magnetic field strengths (50, 100, and 200 µT) were studied.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 60 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 4 h

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 60 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 4 h
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup The coils had an inner diameter of 2,75 inches where the 60 mm Petri dishes were placed and an outer diameter 3.25 inches. The vertical distance between the coils was 0.3125 inch. A switch box was used to randomly select exposure, sham exposure and external coil activation. For exposure, sham exposure and external coil activation, the current was switched in same direction, in the opposite direction and supplied to an identical coil located 1 m away from the sample, respectively.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 50 µT unspecified measured - -
magnetic flux density 100 µT unspecified measured - -
magnetic flux density 200 µT unspecified measured - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No significant differences in APP965 gene transcription were observed in electromagnetic field exposed cells neither in regard to cell differentiation age, nor to the magnetic field exposure at different magnetic field strengths.

Study character:

Study funded by

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