Can Theta Burst Electromagnetic Fields Disrupt Learning in Planaria? Evidence of Impaired Fear-Conditioned Responses.

Bioelectromagnetics · 2025 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 5888

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 2025

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

This study explored the impact of low-intensity theta burst patterned electromagnetic fields (TBEMF) on fear-related learning in the flatworm species Planaria, a simple model organism known for its regenerative properties and ability to demonstrate basic learning behaviors. Planaria were exposed to an aversive stimulus (light) in a T-maze, and changes in their behavior, including time taken to select an arm and preferred arm selections, were assessed over the course of several days. The TBEMF consisted of five pulsed bursts at 100 Hz with alternating amplitudes and an intensity of 1 μT. In the group exposed to aversive light, a significant decrease in preferred arm selections was observed (p < 0.001), indicating that the planaria successfully learned to avoid the arm associated with the aversive stimulus. However, planaria exposed to TBEMF, either before or after the light exposure phase, did not show the same behavioral adaptation, as their arm selections remained stable, indicating that no fear learning occurred. These findings suggest that TBEMF disrupts the processes involved in fear-related learning, likely by interfering with theta rhythm-dependent mechanisms that are crucial for memory encoding and retrieval. Further exploration of EMF's effects on more complex organisms could reveal additional insights into its broader applications and implications for both basic neuroscience and clinical practice. Bioelectromagnetics. 00:00-00, 2025. © 2025 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

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

PopulationPlanaria (flatworms)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · over the course of several days (exact duration not specified)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Planaria exposed to aversive light showed a significant decrease in preferred arm selections (p < 0.001), consistent with learning to avoid the aversive arm. Planaria exposed to low-intensity theta burst patterned electromagnetic fields (1 μT; five pulsed bursts at 100 Hz with alternating amplitudes), either before or after the light exposure phase, did not show this behavioral adaptation and their arm selections remained stable, indicating no fear learning occurred.

Outcomes measured

Fear-related learning/conditioning in a T-maze (arm selection preference)
Time taken to select a T-maze arm

Limitations

Sample size not reported in the abstract
Exposure duration and timing details are not fully specified beyond occurring over several days and being applied before or after light exposure
Only a simple model organism (planaria) and a specific learning paradigm were assessed; generalizability to other organisms is not addressed in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "other",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "over the course of several days (exact duration not specified)"
  },
  "population": "Planaria (flatworms)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Fear-related learning/conditioning in a T-maze (arm selection preference)",
    "Time taken to select a T-maze arm"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Planaria exposed to aversive light showed a significant decrease in preferred arm selections (p < 0.001), consistent with learning to avoid the aversive arm. Planaria exposed to low-intensity theta burst patterned electromagnetic fields (1 μT; five pulsed bursts at 100 Hz with alternating amplitudes), either before or after the light exposure phase, did not show this behavioral adaptation and their arm selections remained stable, indicating no fear learning occurred.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
    "Exposure duration and timing details are not fully specified beyond occurring over several days and being applied before or after light exposure",
    "Only a simple model organism (planaria) and a specific learning paradigm were assessed; generalizability to other organisms is not addressed in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "theta burst patterned electromagnetic fields",
    "TBEMF",
    "1 μT",
    "100 Hz",
    "planaria",
    "flatworm",
    "fear conditioning",
    "learning",
    "memory",
    "T-maze",
    "behavior"
  ],
  "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.70017
PubMed: 40741867

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