Brain structure alterations following neonatal exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields: A

International journal of developmental neuroscience : the official journal of the International Society for Developmental Neuroscience · 2024 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 138

Study snapshot

PublicationInternational journal of developmental neuroscience : the official journal of the International Society for Developmental Neuroscience · 2024

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Brain structure alterations following neonatal exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields: A histological analysis Sissons SM, Dotta BT. Brain structure alterations following neonatal exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields: A histological analysis. Int J Dev Neurosci. 2024 Jul 5. doi: 10.1002/jdn.10361. Abstract Nitric oxide (NO) and electromagnetic fields (EMF) have been extensively studied for their roles in neurobiology, particularly in regulating cerebral functions and synaptic plasticity. This study investigates the impact of EMFs on NO modulation and its subsequent effects on neurodevelopment, building upon prior research examining EMF exposure's consequences on Wistar albino rats. Rats were exposed perinatally to either tap water, 1 g/L of L-arginine (LA) or 0.5 g/L of N-methylarginine (NMA). Half of the rats in each group were also exposed to a 7-Hz square-wave EMF at three separate intensities (5, 50 and 500 nT) for 2-14 days following birth. Animals were allowed to develop, and their brains were harvested later in adulthood (mean age = 568.17 days, SD = 162.73). Histological analyses were used to elucidate structural changes in key brain regions. All brains were stained with Toluidine Blue O (TBO), enabling the visualization of neurons. Neuronal counts were then conducted in specific regions of interest (e.g. hippocampus, cortices, amygdala and hypothalamus). Histological analyses revealed significant alterations in neuronal density in specific brain regions, particularly in response to EMF exposure and pharmacological interventions. Notable findings include a main EMF exposure effect where increased neuronal counts were observed in the secondary somatosensory cortex under low EMF intensities (p < 0.001) and sex-specific responses in the hippocampus, where a significant increase in neuronal counts was observed in the left CA3 region in female rats exposed to EMF compared to unexposed females (t(18) = 2.371, p = 0.029). Additionally, a significant increase in neuronal counts in the right entorhinal cortex was seen in male rats exposed to EMF compared to unexposed males (t(18) = 2.216, p = 0.040). These findings emphasize the complex interaction among sex, EMF exposure and pharmacological agents on neuronal dynamics across brain regions, highlighting the need for further research to identify underlying mechanisms and potential implications for cognitive function and neurological health in clinical and environmental contexts. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal

Effect directionmixed

PopulationWistar albino rats (male and female), exposed perinatally/neonatally; brains assessed in adulthood

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 0.007 MHz · 2-14 days following birth (neonatal/perinatal exposure)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Histological analyses reported significant alterations in neuronal density in specific brain regions associated with EMF exposure and pharmacological interventions. Increased neuronal counts were observed in the secondary somatosensory cortex under low EMF intensities (p < 0.001). Sex-specific effects were reported, including increased neuronal counts in left CA3 in EMF-exposed females vs unexposed females (p = 0.029) and increased neuronal counts in right entorhinal cortex in EMF-exposed males vs unexposed males (p = 0.040).

Outcomes measured

Neuronal density/counts in brain regions (histology; Toluidine Blue O staining)
Region-specific neuronal counts (hippocampus, cortices, amygdala, hypothalamus; including secondary somatosensory cortex, CA3, entorhinal cortex)
Sex-specific differences in neuronal counts following EMF exposure

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Exposure source/setup details beyond waveform, frequency, and field intensity not described in abstract
Multiple interventions (L-arginine and N-methylarginine) alongside EMF exposure may complicate attribution
Outcomes are histological/neuronal counts; functional or behavioral implications not directly assessed in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 0.007,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "2-14 days following birth (neonatal/perinatal exposure)"
  },
  "population": "Wistar albino rats (male and female), exposed perinatally/neonatally; brains assessed in adulthood",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Neuronal density/counts in brain regions (histology; Toluidine Blue O staining)",
    "Region-specific neuronal counts (hippocampus, cortices, amygdala, hypothalamus; including secondary somatosensory cortex, CA3, entorhinal cortex)",
    "Sex-specific differences in neuronal counts following EMF exposure"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Histological analyses reported significant alterations in neuronal density in specific brain regions associated with EMF exposure and pharmacological interventions. Increased neuronal counts were observed in the secondary somatosensory cortex under low EMF intensities (p < 0.001). Sex-specific effects were reported, including increased neuronal counts in left CA3 in EMF-exposed females vs unexposed females (p = 0.029) and increased neuronal counts in right entorhinal cortex in EMF-exposed males vs unexposed males (p = 0.040).",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure source/setup details beyond waveform, frequency, and field intensity not described in abstract",
    "Multiple interventions (L-arginine and N-methylarginine) alongside EMF exposure may complicate attribution",
    "Outcomes are histological/neuronal counts; functional or behavioral implications not directly assessed in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low frequency",
    "ELF EMF",
    "7-Hz square-wave",
    "neonatal exposure",
    "perinatal exposure",
    "nitric oxide",
    "L-arginine",
    "N-methylarginine",
    "Wistar rats",
    "histology",
    "Toluidine Blue O",
    "neuronal density",
    "hippocampus",
    "CA3",
    "entorhinal cortex",
    "somatosensory cortex",
    "sex differences"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "elF-emf",
      "weight": 0.86,
      "reason": "Animal study with 7-Hz (ELF) electromagnetic field exposure at nT intensities."
    },
    {
      "slug": "animal-studies",
      "weight": 0.84,
      "reason": "Wistar rat perinatal/neonatal exposure with adult brain histology outcomes."
    }
  ]
}

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

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10361
PubMed: 38967459

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