The effect of a 50 Hz magnetic field on cognitive function in humans

Preece, AW; Wesnes, Keith; Iwi, G

doi:10.1080/095530098141339

Cited by 55 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…We investigated the effects of UMTS-like radiation on brain functioning with the Simple Reaction Time Task (SRT) and Two-Choice Reaction Time Task (CRT) ( Koivisto et al 2000b ; Preece et al 1998 , 1999 ), the N-back Task (N-back) ( Koivisto et al 2000a ), and the Visual Selective Attention Task (VSAT) adapted from Zwamborn et al (2003) and applied the tasks in fixed order (SRT, CRT, 1-, 2-, 3-back, VSAT). We implemented the tasks using software from e-Prime (Psychology Software Tools Inc., Pittsburgh, PA, USA).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

UMTS Base Station-like Exposure, Well-Being, and Cognitive Performance

Regel

Negovetic

Röösli

et al. 2006

Environ Health Perspect

113

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BackgroundRadio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) of mobile communication systems are widespread in the living environment, yet their effects on humans are uncertain despite a growing body of literature.ObjectivesWe investigated the influence of a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) base station-like signal on well-being and cognitive performance in subjects with and without self-reported sensitivity to RF EMF.MethodsWe performed a controlled exposure experiment (45 min at an electric field strength of 0, 1, or 10 V/m, incident with a polarization of 45° from the left back side of the subject, weekly intervals) in a randomized, double-blind crossover design. A total of 117 healthy subjects (33 self-reported sensitive, 84 nonsensitive subjects) participated in the study. We assessed well-being, perceived field strength, and cognitive performance with questionnaires and cognitive tasks and conducted statistical analyses using linear mixed models. Organ-specific and brain tissue–specific dosimetry including uncertainty and variation analysis was performed.ResultsIn both groups, well-being and perceived field strength were not associated with actual exposure levels. We observed no consistent condition-induced changes in cognitive performance except for two marginal effects. At 10 V/m we observed a slight effect on speed in one of six tasks in the sensitive subjects and an effect on accuracy in another task in nonsensitive subjects. Both effects disappeared after multiple end point adjustment.ConclusionsIn contrast to a recent Dutch study, we could not confirm a short-term effect of UMTS base station-like exposure on well-being. The reported effects on brain functioning were marginal and may have occurred by chance. Peak spatial absorption in brain tissue was considerably smaller than during use of a mobile phone. No conclusions can be drawn regarding short-term effects of cell phone exposure or the effects of long-term base station-like exposure on human health.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

UMTS Base Station-like Exposure, Well-Being, and Cognitive Performance

Regel

Negovetic

Röösli

et al. 2006

Environ Health Perspect

113

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“…Previous studies have shown that ELM exposure impaired acquisition and consolidation of spatial memory in rodents [4]–[6] and produced deficits in detour learning and one-trial passive avoidance learning in chicks [7], [8]. Moreover, it has been reported that exposure to ELM impaired the performance of humans in word recognition and visual discrimination tasks [9], [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes of Dendritic Spine Density and Morphology in the Superficial Layers of the Medial Entorhinal Cortex Induced by Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Field Exposure

Xiong

et al. 2013

PLoS ONE

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In the present study, we investigated the effects of chronic exposure (14 and 28 days) to a 0.5 mT 50 Hz extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELM) on the dendritic spine density and shape in the superficial layers of the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC). We performed Golgi staining to reveal the dendritic spines of the principal neurons in rats. The results showed that ELM exposure induced a decrease in the spine density in the dendrites of stellate neurons and the basal dendrites of pyramidal neurons at both 14 days and 28 days, which was largely due to the loss of the thin and branched spines. The alteration in the density of mushroom and stubby spines post ELM exposure was cell-type specific. For the stellate neurons, ELM exposure slightly increased the density of stubby spines at 28 days, while it did not affect the density of mushroom spines at the same time. In the basal dendrites of pyramidal neurons, we observed a significant decrease in the mushroom spine density only at the later time point post ELM exposure, while the stubby spine density was reduced at 14 days and partially restored at 28 days post ELM exposure. ELM exposure-induced reduction in the spine density in the apical dendrites of pyramidal neurons was only observed at 28 days, reflecting the distinct vulnerability of spines in the apical and basal dendrites. Considering the changes in spine number and shape are involved in synaptic plasticity and the MEC is a part of neural network that is closely related to learning and memory, these findings may be helpful for explaining the ELM exposure-induced impairment in cognitive functions.

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“…Functional MRI studies have identified the activation of a network of brain regions involved in this task, which include the cerebellum, the premotor cortex and the superior parietal lobule [ 36 – 38 ]. Interestingly, one study investigating the effect of a 600 μT, 50 Hz MF in humans found out a decreased performance in attentional and memory tasks [ 39 ]. More recently, Corbacio et al [ 25 ] reported that the improvement associated with the repetition of a short term memory task no longer existed after a one-hour exposure to a 3 mT, 60 Hz MF.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of a 60 Hz Magnetic Field Exposure Up to 3000 μT on Human Brain Activation as Measured by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

et al. 2015

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Several aspects of the human nervous system and associated motor and cognitive processes have been reported to be modulated by extremely low-frequency (ELF, < 300 Hz) time-varying Magnetic Fields (MF). Due do their worldwide prevalence; power-line frequencies (60 Hz in North America) are of particular interest. Despite intense research efforts over the last few decades, the potential effects of 60 Hz MF still need to be elucidated, and the underlying mechanisms to be understood. In this study, we have used functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to characterize potential changes in functional brain activation following human exposure to a 60 Hz MF through motor and cognitive tasks. First, pilot results acquired in a first set of subjects (N=9) were used to demonstrate the technical feasibility of using fMRI to detect subtle changes in functional brain activation with 60 Hz MF exposure at 1800 μT. Second, a full study involving a larger cohort of subjects tested brain activation during 1) a finger tapping task (N=20), and 2) a mental rotation task (N=21); before and after a one-hour, 60 Hz, 3000 μT MF exposure. The results indicate significant changes in task-induced functional brain activation as a consequence of MF exposure. However, no impact on task performance was found. These results illustrate the potential of using fMRI to identify MF-induced changes in functional brain activation, suggesting that a one-hour 60 Hz, 3000 μT MF exposure can modulate activity in specific brain regions after the end of the exposure period (i.e., residual effects). We discuss the possibility that MF exposure at 60 Hz, 3000 μT may be capable of modulating cortical excitability via a modulation of synaptic plasticity processes.

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The effect of a 50 Hz magnetic field on cognitive function in humans

Abstract: These tests indicated at least temporary deterioration in attention, and working and secondary memory performance while a 50 Hz field is applied. There were no adverse effects on speed from any of the tasks. It was not possible in this study to be sure if these effects were persistent.

Cited by 55 publications

References 15 publications

UMTS Base Station-like Exposure, Well-Being, and Cognitive Performance

UMTS Base Station-like Exposure, Well-Being, and Cognitive Performance

Changes of Dendritic Spine Density and Morphology in the Superficial Layers of the Medial Entorhinal Cortex Induced by Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Field Exposure

Effects of a 60 Hz Magnetic Field Exposure Up to 3000 μT on Human Brain Activation as Measured by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

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