Dose-dependent impact of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on the neuroplasticity in the hippocampus of adult rats.
Keywords
Adult rats exposed to 50 Hz ELF-EMF showed modulation of hippocampal mRNA expression for neural/synaptic and survival-related genes, with effects depending on field intensity and number of exposure cycles. Low-intensity exposure (1 mT) increased pro-neuroplas…
Study snapshot
Abstract
Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) therapy is gaining attention for its potential benefits in treating neurodegenerative conditions. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for the possible protective effects of ELF-EMF remain unclear. Our previous research revealed that ELF-EMF exposure can establish a new "set-point" for stress responses, with outcomes dependent on field intensity. Stress hormones have been shown to modulate hippocampal function and plasticity. Therefore, our study aimed to assess how ELF-EMF exposure affects the expression of transcripts related to hippocampal plasticity, including genes related to neurogenesis (BDNF, TrkB, GAP43), synaptic activity (PSD95, SYN1), and cell survival (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Bak1). Adult rats were exposed to ELF-EMF (50 Hz) at 1 mT and 7 mT intensities for three 7-day periods, 1 h/day, with 3-week break between each cycle. A subset of animals was sacrificed after each exposure to collect hippocampi. The relative expression of neural/synaptic genes and anti-/pro-survival factors was measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Our findings indicate that ELF-EMF exposure modulates mRNA expression of neural/synaptic genes and anti-/pro-survival factors. The direction and dynamics of changes depend on ELF-EMF intensity and the number of exposures. "Low-intensity" ELF-EMF (1 mT) increased pro-neuroplastic factors expression, while "high-intensity" ELF-EMF (7 mT) decreased them. In summary, "low-intensity" ELF-EMF enhances adaptive processes like neuroplasticity by eliciting a mild stress response, while "high-intensity" exposure disrupts homeostasis and brain function by inducing severe stress. Our findings indicate that the overall effects of ELF-EMF depend on the intricate interplay between stress reactions and long-term brain plasticity.
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
Adult rats exposed to 50 Hz ELF-EMF showed modulation of hippocampal mRNA expression for neural/synaptic and survival-related genes, with effects depending on field intensity and number of exposure cycles. Low-intensity exposure (1 mT) increased pro-neuroplastic factor expression, while high-intensity exposure (7 mT) decreased them.
Outcomes measured
- Hippocampal mRNA expression of neurogenesis-related genes (BDNF, TrkB, GAP43)
- Hippocampal mRNA expression of synaptic activity genes (PSD95, SYN1)
- Hippocampal mRNA expression of cell survival/apoptosis-related genes (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Bak1)
Limitations
- Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata
- Outcomes limited to transcript (mRNA) expression; functional/behavioral outcomes not described in provided abstract
- Mechanistic interpretation framed around stress response but direct stress hormone measurements are not described in provided abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
"study_type": "animal",
"exposure": {
"band": "ELF",
"source": "therapy",
"frequency_mhz": null,
"sar_wkg": null,
"duration": "Three 7-day periods, 1 h/day, with 3-week break between each cycle"
},
"population": "Adult rats",
"sample_size": null,
"outcomes": [
"Hippocampal mRNA expression of neurogenesis-related genes (BDNF, TrkB, GAP43)",
"Hippocampal mRNA expression of synaptic activity genes (PSD95, SYN1)",
"Hippocampal mRNA expression of cell survival/apoptosis-related genes (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Bak1)"
],
"main_findings": "Adult rats exposed to 50 Hz ELF-EMF showed modulation of hippocampal mRNA expression for neural/synaptic and survival-related genes, with effects depending on field intensity and number of exposure cycles. Low-intensity exposure (1 mT) increased pro-neuroplastic factor expression, while high-intensity exposure (7 mT) decreased them.",
"effect_direction": "mixed",
"limitations": [
"Sample size not reported in provided abstract/metadata",
"Outcomes limited to transcript (mRNA) expression; functional/behavioral outcomes not described in provided abstract",
"Mechanistic interpretation framed around stress response but direct stress hormone measurements are not described in provided abstract"
],
"evidence_strength": "low",
"confidence": 0.78,
"peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
"keywords": [
"ELF-EMF",
"50 Hz",
"hippocampus",
"neuroplasticity",
"gene expression",
"BDNF",
"TrkB",
"GAP43",
"PSD95",
"SYN1",
"Bcl-2",
"Bcl-xL",
"Bak1",
"stress response",
"rats",
"dose-dependent"
],
"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: 10.1016/j.neulet.2026.138520
PubMed: 41544927