Chronic exposure of primates to 60‐Hz electric and magnetic fields: II. Neurochemical effects

Abstract

We exposed Macaca nemestrina (pig-tailed macaques) to electric (E) and magnetic (B) fields ranging in intensity from 3 kV/m and 0.1 G to 30 kV/m and 0.9 G for three 21-day (d) periods. Experimental animals were exposed to sham E and B fields for two 21-d periods, one prior to and one following actual exposure to E and B fields, resulting in a total of five 21-d periods. Control animals were exposed to sham E and B fields for the entire 105-d interval. At the end of each 21-d period cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was obtained by lumbar puncture and analyzed for concentrations of homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), metabolites of dopamine and serotonin neurotransmitters, respectively, by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD). Results are based on an examination of six experimental and four control animals. Exposure to E and B fields at all strengths was associated with a significant decline in CSF concentrations of both HVA and 5-HIAA when statistical comparisons were made against values obtained at the end of the preexposure interval. However, HVA returned to preexposure levels during the postexposure period, while 5-HIAA did not. No significant change in the concentrations of HVA or 5-HIAA was noted in the control animals. These results strongly suggest that exposure of the nonhuman primate to E and B fields can significantly affect specific biochemical estimates of nervous system function. These effects may involve alterations either in neuronal activity or in the activity of enzymes that catabolize the neurotransmitters.

Biological effects of prolonged exposure to ELF electromagnetic fields in rats: III. 50 Hz electromagnetic fields

“…studies have not confirmed these results [Peters et al, 1991;Feychting and Ahlbom, 1993;Olsen et al, 1993; *Correspondence to: Luigi Zecca, Institute of Advanced Biomedical Technologies C.N.R., Via Ampere 56, 20131 Milan, Italy. system (acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, amino 26.5 cm long, 30 cm high polycarbonate cages. These were placed on electrically grounded metal nets and acids), and protein content in the brain of animals exposed to EMF [Vasquez et al, 1988;Seegal et al, placed in three identical exposure units. The electric field was generated by parallel electrodes with a 40 cm 1989; Zecca et al, 1991;Hagino et al, 1992;Lai et al, 1993;Yu et al, 1993].…”

Exposure to AC and DC magnetic fields induces changes in 5‐HT1B receptor binding parameters in rat brain membranes

“…Further work on the effects of MF on 5-HT 1B receptor binding will include the use of another specific agonist, [ It is unclear how our data relate to changes in vivo, but some published results suggest that exposure to ELF EMF can modulate 5-HT metabolism in the brain [Seegal et al, 1989;Canedo et al, 2003;Sieron et al, 2004].…”

Effects of concurrent exposure to 60 Hz electric and magnetic fields on the social behavior of baboons

“…Wolpaw et al [1989], Seegal et al [1989], and Dowman et al [1989] studied the effects of 60 Hz E/ MF on a number of neurophysiologic endpoints in young, juvenile pigtail macaques (Macaca nemestrina). These researchers exposed the subjects to three 21 day exposure segments of differing field intensity (3 kV/ m, 10 pT; 10 kV/m, 30 pT; and 30 kV/m, 90 pT).…”