Mouse Spatial Recognition Memory Significantly Disrupted By Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields

Main Category: Neurology / Neuroscience
Also Included In: Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 23 Jul 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Exposure to extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields is known to disrupt spatial cognition. Researchers found that mice exposed to extremely low ELFs over a long period had a significant disruption in spatial recognition memory.

In the study, mice were exposed to 25 or 50 Hz of electromagnetic fields for either 7 or 25 days, and then tested in the Y-maze. The Y-maze did not involve any rewards or punishments, instead, they assessed their innate tendency to explore novel environments.

Both short and long-term ELF exposure had no effect on the locomotor activity on the mice. Mice that were exposed to the higher frequency for a short period experienced no effects as well.

This is the first study to show that long-term exposure to 50Hz electromagnetic fields impairs spatial recognition memory.

"Long-term exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields impairs spatial recognition memory in mice"
Yu Fu, Cangkai Wang, Jianhong Wang, Yanlin Lei, Yuanye Ma
Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology Volume 35 Issue 7, Pages 797 - 800
DOI 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2008.04922.x
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Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology

Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology provides a medium for the rapid publication of original research papers, short communications, rapid communications and theoretical articles (hypotheses) on the results of clinical and experimental work in pharmacology and physiology. Invited review articles are published occasionally.

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