Share
𝕏 Facebook LinkedIn

The Effect of Time-Dependence of 10 Hz Electromagnetic Field on Spatial Learning and Memory in Rats.

PAPER pubmed Journal of lasers in medical sciences 2022 Animal study Effect: benefit Evidence: Low

Abstract

In everyday life, electrical devices are the primary sources of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF), and the human body may be a great conductor of these fields. We chose alpha band power, especially at 10 Hz frequency, due to its prior beneficial role in memory. The purpose was to clarify whether there is a relationship between ELF-EMF exposure and cognitive deficits in rats, clinical signs, behavioral analysis, and the impact of ELF-EMF during different times of exposure on neuroplasticity via the expression of BDNF. Forty adult male rats were selected randomly. The rats were exposed to ELF-EMF (10 Hz, 4 mT) for 7 days and 30 days, one hour daily. The expression of BDNF proteins in the hippocampus was evaluated after sacrificing animals to assess learning and memory function. The body weight of rats in the long-term exposed group differed significantly (<0.05). The level of BDNF mRNA in the hippocampus was found by the RT-PCR method. Our findings indicate that exposure to ELF-EMF affects spatial learning and memory and can improve memory, especially with long-term exposure. In addition, we discovered a significant difference in the long-term exposed group (<0.05), where radiation for 30 days resulted in a substantial rise in BDNF levels. After prolonged exposure, male rats spent more time and traveled a greater percentage of their distance in the target quadrant, demonstrating that long-term exposure improves spatial memory and that 10 Hz might be safe.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance
Study type
Animal study
Effect direction
benefit
Population
Forty adult male rats
Sample size
40
Exposure
ELF other · 0.01 MHz · 1 hour daily for 7 days and 30 days
Evidence strength
Low
Confidence: 74% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

Rats exposed to 10 Hz (4 mT) ELF-EMF showed changes in spatial learning and memory, with reported improvement in spatial memory particularly after long-term (30-day) exposure. The long-term exposed group showed a significant increase in hippocampal BDNF levels and spent more time/traveled a greater percentage of distance in the target quadrant; body weight also differed significantly in the long-term group.

Outcomes measured

  • Spatial learning
  • Spatial memory
  • BDNF (hippocampus) mRNA/protein expression
  • Body weight
  • Behavioral performance in target quadrant (time spent, distance traveled)

Limitations

  • Exposure source/setup not described in the abstract (only frequency and field strength given)
  • Outcome measurement details for learning/memory tests are not specified in the abstract
  • Statistical details are limited (p-values mentioned without effect sizes or full comparisons)
View raw extracted JSON
{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF",
        "source": "other",
        "frequency_mhz": 0.01000000000000000020816681711721685132943093776702880859375,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "1 hour daily for 7 days and 30 days"
    },
    "population": "Forty adult male rats",
    "sample_size": 40,
    "outcomes": [
        "Spatial learning",
        "Spatial memory",
        "BDNF (hippocampus) mRNA/protein expression",
        "Body weight",
        "Behavioral performance in target quadrant (time spent, distance traveled)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Rats exposed to 10 Hz (4 mT) ELF-EMF showed changes in spatial learning and memory, with reported improvement in spatial memory particularly after long-term (30-day) exposure. The long-term exposed group showed a significant increase in hippocampal BDNF levels and spent more time/traveled a greater percentage of distance in the target quadrant; body weight also differed significantly in the long-term group.",
    "effect_direction": "benefit",
    "limitations": [
        "Exposure source/setup not described in the abstract (only frequency and field strength given)",
        "Outcome measurement details for learning/memory tests are not specified in the abstract",
        "Statistical details are limited (p-values mentioned without effect sizes or full comparisons)"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "ELF-EMF",
        "10 Hz",
        "4 mT",
        "rats",
        "spatial learning",
        "spatial memory",
        "BDNF",
        "hippocampus",
        "neuroplasticity"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

Comments

Log in to comment.

No comments yet.