Exposure to combined static and 60 Hz magnetic fields: Failure to replicate a reported behavioral effect

Single, brief exposure to a 50 Hz magnetic field does not affect the performance of an object recognition task in adult mice

“…A few studies have used operant conditioning techniques, but the available results do not suggest that low frequency ®elds cause any consistent effect. Initial reports of increases in the rate of responding by rats exposed to magnetic ®elds during a differential reinforcement of low rate component of a multiple schedule of reinforcement [Thomas et al, 1986;Liboff et al, 1989] could not be con®rmed in a replicate study [Stern et al, 1996]. Studies using primates exposed to low intensity magnetic ®elds, sometimes in combination with weak electric ®elds, have reported no consistent ®eld-dependent effects on operant performance [de Lorge, 1972[de Lorge, , 1973a[de Lorge, , 1973b[de Lorge, , 1979Orr et al, 1995].…”

“…The lack of an amnestic effect in the present study clearly shows that exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic ®elds does not cause similar effects on all types of memory. This view is consistent with the results of instrumental conditioning studies using rats [Stern et al, 1996] and primates [Grissett, 1971, Grissett andde Lorge, 1971;de Lorge, 1974;de Lorge and Marr 1974;de Lorge and Grissett, 1977;Orr et al, 1995] which did not ®nd any convincing ®eld-dependent effects on learning and memory.…”

Effect of magnetic field exposure on calcium channel currents using patch clamp technique

“…Ca 2þ is the most important among biological ions from the viewpoint of bioeffects of ELF magnetic field. Mobility of diatom McLeod et al, 1987;Reese et al, 1991;Clarkson et al, 1998], and behavior of rats [Thomas et al, 1986;Stern et al, 1996;Zhadin et al, 1999] were investigated at the Calcium influx current ratios are values in steady state (90 ms Fig. 1), assuming unexposed ¼ 100.0.…”

“…Many experiments have been carried out to test the hypotheses. Some gave positive McLeod et al, 1987;Smith et al, 1987;Reese et al, 1991;Blackman et al, 1994;Reinbold and Pollack, 1997;Zhadin et al, 1999] and others, negative results [Parkinson and Hanks, 1989;Stern et al, 1996;Clarkson et al, 1998]. These experiments were performed with many different cell types and biological endpoints.…”

ELF magnetic fields tuned to ion parametric resonance conditions do not affect TEA‐sensitive voltage‐dependent outward K+ currents in a human neural cell line

“…Despite the fact that the experimental support to these hypotheses is controversial at this stage, as they were supported by a number of positive findings McLeod et al, 1987;Smith et al, 1987;Reese et al, 1991;Blackman et al, 1994;Reinbold and Pollack, 1997;Zhadin et al, 1999;Belyaev and Alipov, 2001] that were not corroborated or confirmed by others [Parkinson and Hanks, 1989;Galt et al, 1993b;Höjevik et al, 1995;Stern et al, 1996;Clarkson et al, 1999;Obo et al, 2002], many researchers and medical doctors still claim that the formula of cyclotron frequency is "magically" effective both biologically and clinically. At this point, it is important to establish whether these claims are really sound or not.…”