Neurological effects of static and extremely-low frequency electromagnetic fields (Review)

Electromagnetic biology and medicine · 2022 · Mixed · Insufficient evidence

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MixedInsufficient evidencePaper 849

Study snapshot

PublicationElectromagnetic biology and medicine · 2022

Study typereview

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Neurological effects of static and extremely-low frequency electromagnetic fields (Review) Henry Lai. Neurological effects of static and extremely-low frequency electromagnetic fields. Electromagn Biol Med. 2022 Apr 15:1-21. doi: 10.1080/15368378.2022.2064489. Abstract This is a review of studies on the neurological effects of static/extremely-low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMF). The review is mainly on research carried out in the last two decades. There are studies that showed effects on various neurotransmitters, including NMDA, serotonin, dopamine, endogenous opioids, etc. Each of these transmitters plays different critical roles on behavior and brain functions. Studies on behavioral effects of static/ELF EMF bear out these connections. Static/ELF EMF-induced behavioral and pathological effects, such as locomotor activity, memory and learning deficits, and neurological diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, Huntinton’s diseases and atropical lateral scleroses, etc.) are discussed. Static/ELF EMF exposure has also been shown to have beneficial effects on functional deficits and progression of some neurological diseases. These fields provide a non-invasive treatment or treatment-adjuvant for these detrimental neurological conditions. Results suggest that free radicals, both reactive oxygen species and reactive nitric species could be involved. Depending on the conditions of exposure, either harmful or beneficial effects could result. It is important to carry out further investigation to identify these conditions. However, caution should be taken to extrapolate the experimental data to human exposure, since higher field intensities than environmental levels were used in most laboratory research. 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 typereview

Effect directionmixed

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

This review summarizes studies reporting that static/ELF EMF exposure can affect various neurotransmitters and is associated with behavioral and pathological effects including locomotor activity changes and memory/learning deficits, and discusses links to neurological diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, ALS). It also describes reports of beneficial effects on functional deficits and progression of some neurological diseases, suggesting effects may depend on exposure conditions and could involve reactive oxygen and nitrogen species; the author cautions that many laboratory studies used field intensities higher than environmental levels.

Outcomes measured

Neurotransmitter changes (e.g., NMDA, serotonin, dopamine, endogenous opioids)
Behavioral effects (e.g., locomotor activity, memory and learning deficits)
Neurological disease-related effects (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, ALS)
Potential therapeutic/beneficial effects on functional deficits and disease progression
Oxidative/nitrosative stress markers (reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species)

Limitations

Review focused mainly on the last two decades of research (scope limitation).
Caution in extrapolating experimental findings to human exposure because most laboratory research used higher field intensities than environmental levels.
Exposure conditions appear to influence whether effects are harmful or beneficial; conditions are not identified and further investigation is needed.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Neurotransmitter changes (e.g., NMDA, serotonin, dopamine, endogenous opioids)",
    "Behavioral effects (e.g., locomotor activity, memory and learning deficits)",
    "Neurological disease-related effects (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, ALS)",
    "Potential therapeutic/beneficial effects on functional deficits and disease progression",
    "Oxidative/nitrosative stress markers (reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "This review summarizes studies reporting that static/ELF EMF exposure can affect various neurotransmitters and is associated with behavioral and pathological effects including locomotor activity changes and memory/learning deficits, and discusses links to neurological diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, ALS). It also describes reports of beneficial effects on functional deficits and progression of some neurological diseases, suggesting effects may depend on exposure conditions and could involve reactive oxygen and nitrogen species; the author cautions that many laboratory studies used field intensities higher than environmental levels.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Review focused mainly on the last two decades of research (scope limitation).",
    "Caution in extrapolating experimental findings to human exposure because most laboratory research used higher field intensities than environmental levels.",
    "Exposure conditions appear to influence whether effects are harmful or beneficial; conditions are not identified and further investigation is needed."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "static electromagnetic fields",
    "extremely-low frequency",
    "ELF EMF",
    "neurological effects",
    "neurotransmitters",
    "behavior",
    "memory",
    "learning",
    "Alzheimer’s disease",
    "Parkinson’s disease",
    "Huntington’s disease",
    "ALS",
    "reactive oxygen species",
    "reactive nitrogen species",
    "free radicals"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Review discusses health effects of static/ELF EMF and cautions about extrapolating lab exposures to environmental levels, relevant to exposure guideline context."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1080/15368378.2022.2064489
PubMed: 35426330

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