Neurobiological effects and mechanisms of magnetic fields: a review from 2000 to 2023

Keywords
The review summarizes that magnetic fields (static and dynamic) can cause neurobiological effects in animals and nerve cells, including changes in learning memory, emotional behavior, and neuronal cell functions such as proliferation and apoptosis. However, r…
Study snapshot
Abstract
Neurobiological effects and mechanisms of magnetic fields: a review from 2000 to 2023 Wang X, Ye Y, Zuo H, Li Y. Neurobiological effects and mechanisms of magnetic fields: a review from 2000 to 2023. BMC Public Health. 2024 Nov 8;24(1):3094. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-18987-9. Abstract Magnetic fields are widely used in medical diagnostics because of their superior non-invasive properties. In addition, with the widespread use of magnetic fields in transportation and other areas, their potential hazards to human health and the assessment of their safety have attracted considerable attention. The effects of magnetic fields on living organisms have a long history. The biological effects of magnetic field exposure in mice and rats depend on the magnetic field strength, exposure time, and direction; depending on these and potentially other factors, magnetic fields can cause a series of neurobiological effects. We reviewed global research on the neurobiological effects of magnetic fields from recent years to provide an overview and insights into the underlying mechanisms. This review focuses on the biological effects of static and dynamic magnetic fields of different frequencies and intensities on animals and nerve cells and their mechanisms of action. Conclusion In summary, this article reviews the progress in research on the neural effects of SMF and DMF at the level of animal models and nerve cells in recent years. The number of studies on the effects of MFs on learning memory, emotional behavior, nerve cells, and neurotransmitters is gradually increasing, but owing to the diversity of MF parameters, experimental subjects, and conditions, the conclusions are inconsistent. Certain conditions of MF exposure can lead to changes in emotional behavior and learning memory and cause or relieve anxiety-like and depressive behaviors, with or without significant effects. The biological effects of MFs on neurons and glial cells include alterations in cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis. However, some problems remain unclear. Due to the unspecific nature of MFs, their neurobiological effects are difficult to target experimentally. Urgent problems to be solved by future research include how to establish proper experimental animal and neural cell models, and how to select the appropriate MF exposure intensity and time. Open access paper: bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com
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.
Main findings
The review summarizes that magnetic fields (static and dynamic) can cause neurobiological effects in animals and nerve cells, including changes in learning memory, emotional behavior, and neuronal cell functions such as proliferation and apoptosis. However, results are inconsistent due to variability in magnetic field parameters and experimental conditions. Some exposures may cause or relieve anxiety-like and depressive behaviors, with or without significant effects.
Outcomes measured
- learning memory
- emotional behavior
- anxiety-like behaviors
- depressive behaviors
- cell proliferation
- cell cycle distribution
- apoptosis
Limitations
- Diversity of magnetic field parameters, experimental subjects, and conditions leading to inconsistent conclusions
- Unclear mechanisms due to unspecific nature of magnetic fields
- Need for better experimental animal and neural cell models
- Uncertainty in selecting appropriate magnetic field exposure intensity and duration
View raw extracted JSON
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"study_type": "review",
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},
"population": "animals and nerve cells",
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"outcomes": [
"learning memory",
"emotional behavior",
"anxiety-like behaviors",
"depressive behaviors",
"cell proliferation",
"cell cycle distribution",
"apoptosis"
],
"main_findings": "The review summarizes that magnetic fields (static and dynamic) can cause neurobiological effects in animals and nerve cells, including changes in learning memory, emotional behavior, and neuronal cell functions such as proliferation and apoptosis. However, results are inconsistent due to variability in magnetic field parameters and experimental conditions. Some exposures may cause or relieve anxiety-like and depressive behaviors, with or without significant effects.",
"effect_direction": "mixed",
"limitations": [
"Diversity of magnetic field parameters, experimental subjects, and conditions leading to inconsistent conclusions",
"Unclear mechanisms due to unspecific nature of magnetic fields",
"Need for better experimental animal and neural cell models",
"Uncertainty in selecting appropriate magnetic field exposure intensity and duration"
],
"evidence_strength": "low",
"confidence": 0.4,
"peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
"keywords": [
"magnetic fields",
"neurobiological effects",
"static magnetic field",
"dynamic magnetic field",
"learning memory",
"emotional behavior",
"neurons",
"glial cells",
"cell proliferation",
"apoptosis"
],
"suggested_hubs": []
}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: 10.1186/s12889-024-18987-9
PubMed: Not supplied