Toxic effects of 50 Hz electromagnetic field on memory consolidation in male and female mice.

Toxicology and industrial health · 2013 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 4543

Mice exposed to an 8 mT, 50 Hz sinusoidal ELF EMF for 4 hours immediately after learning showed significant decreases (p < 0.05) in memory consolidation (reduced step-down latency) compared with sham-exposed and control groups. The authors describe the effect…

Study snapshot

PublicationToxicology and industrial health · 2013

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

In this study, the effect of exposure to an 8 mT, 50 Hz extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF EMF) on memory consolidation of adult male and female mice was studied. For this purpose male and female mice were randomly distributed among six groups (n = 10 in each group). Using passive avoidance task, despite its natural tendency, mouse learns to stay on a small platform to avoidant electric shock. Immediately after the learning session, laboratory animals in the experimental groups were placed in an 8 mT, 50 Hz sinusoidal EMF for 4 h. The second male and female groups were sham exposed (exposure device off) and the third groups were considered as the controls. Twenty-four hours after the learning session, the animals were placed on small platform again and step-down latency was measured as the memory consolidation index. Significant (p < 0.05) decreases were determined among groups in memory function and results showed that exposure to an 8 mT, 50 Hz EMF for 4 h has devastating effects on memory consolidation in male and female mice.

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 typeanimal

Effect directionharm

PopulationAdult male and female mice

Sample size60

ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz · 4 h (immediately after learning session)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Memory consolidation (passive avoidance task; step-down latency)

Limitations

Only one exposure intensity (8 mT) and one exposure duration (4 h) described
Outcome limited to a single behavioral paradigm (passive avoidance/step-down latency)
Details of randomization/blinding and statistical methods not provided in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "laboratory exposure system",
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "4 h (immediately after learning session)"
  },
  "population": "Adult male and female mice",
  "sample_size": 60,
  "outcomes": [
    "Memory consolidation (passive avoidance task; step-down latency)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Mice exposed to an 8 mT, 50 Hz sinusoidal ELF EMF for 4 hours immediately after learning showed significant decreases (p < 0.05) in memory consolidation (reduced step-down latency) compared with sham-exposed and control groups. The authors describe the effect as devastating in both male and female mice.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Only one exposure intensity (8 mT) and one exposure duration (4 h) described",
    "Outcome limited to a single behavioral paradigm (passive avoidance/step-down latency)",
    "Details of randomization/blinding and statistical methods not provided in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low-frequency",
    "ELF EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "8 mT",
    "mice",
    "male",
    "female",
    "memory consolidation",
    "passive avoidance",
    "step-down latency"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "elf-emf",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Animal study of 50 Hz extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field exposure and neurobehavioral outcome."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1177/0748233711433931
PubMed: 22397835

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