Possible Mechanism for Synchronized Detection of Weak Magnetic Fields by Nerve Cells

2020 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 1584

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2020

Study typereview

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Possible Mechanism for Synchronized Detection of Weak Magnetic Fields by Nerve Cells Barnes F, Greenebaum B. Possible Mechanism for Synchronized Detection of Weak Magnetic Fields by Nerve Cells. Bioelectromagnetics. Published online Jan 28, 2020. doi.org Abstract We propose that biological systems may detect static and slowly varying magnetic fields by the modification of the timing of firing of adjacent nerve cells through the local influence of the magnetic field generated by current from one cell's firing on its nearest neighbors. The time delay of an adjacent nerve cell pulse with respect to the initial clock nerve cell pulse could serve as a signal for sensing the magnitude and direction of the magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the current flows in the cells. It has been shown that changes in static magnetic fields modify concentrations of reactive oxygen species, calcium, pH, the growth rates of fibrosarcoma cells, and membrane potentials. These are linked to changes in membrane potentials that can either inhibit or accelerate the firing rate of pacemaker or clock cells. This mechanism may have applications to animals' use of magnetic fields for navigation or other purposes, possibly in conjunction with other mechanisms. onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Machine Enhanced Logic

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 directionunclear

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

The authors propose a mechanism by which biological systems could detect static and slowly varying magnetic fields via magnetic-field-induced modifications in the timing of firing of adjacent nerve cells, mediated by local magnetic fields generated by currents during firing. They note prior findings that changes in static magnetic fields modify ROS, calcium, pH, fibrosarcoma cell growth rates, and membrane potentials, which are linked to changes in membrane potentials that can inhibit or accelerate firing of pacemaker/clock cells.

Outcomes measured

Nerve cell firing timing/synchronization
Detection of static and slowly varying magnetic fields
Reactive oxygen species (ROS)
Calcium
pH
Fibrosarcoma cell growth rates
Membrane potentials
Pacemaker/clock cell firing rate
Animal magnetoreception/navigation (proposed application)

Limitations

Mechanistic proposal rather than a reported experimental study in the abstract
No quantitative exposure metrics (field strength, frequency) provided in the abstract
No described study population, methods, or sample size in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "other",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Nerve cell firing timing/synchronization",
    "Detection of static and slowly varying magnetic fields",
    "Reactive oxygen species (ROS)",
    "Calcium",
    "pH",
    "Fibrosarcoma cell growth rates",
    "Membrane potentials",
    "Pacemaker/clock cell firing rate",
    "Animal magnetoreception/navigation (proposed application)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "The authors propose a mechanism by which biological systems could detect static and slowly varying magnetic fields via magnetic-field-induced modifications in the timing of firing of adjacent nerve cells, mediated by local magnetic fields generated by currents during firing. They note prior findings that changes in static magnetic fields modify ROS, calcium, pH, fibrosarcoma cell growth rates, and membrane potentials, which are linked to changes in membrane potentials that can inhibit or accelerate firing of pacemaker/clock cells.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Mechanistic proposal rather than a reported experimental study in the abstract",
    "No quantitative exposure metrics (field strength, frequency) provided in the abstract",
    "No described study population, methods, or sample size in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "static magnetic fields",
    "slowly varying magnetic fields",
    "nerve cells",
    "synchronization",
    "firing timing",
    "membrane potential",
    "pacemaker cells",
    "clock cells",
    "reactive oxygen species",
    "calcium",
    "magnetoreception"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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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/bem.22251
PubMed: Not supplied

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