Chronic exposure to ELF fields may induce depression

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1988 · Bioelectromagnetics (N.Y.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.2250090211· OSTI ID:6839915

Wilson, B W

Exposure to extremely-low-frequency (ELF) electric or magnetic fields has been postulated as a potentially contributing factor in depression. Epidemiologic studies have yielded positive correlations between magnetic- and/or electric-field strengths in local environments and the incidence of depression-related suicide. Chronic exposure to ELF electric or magnetic fields can disrupt normal circadian rhythms in rat pineal serotonin-N-acetyltransferase activity as well as in serotonin and melatonin concentrations. Such disruptions in the circadian rhythmicity of pineal melatonin secretion have been associated with certain depressive disorders in human beings. In the rat, ELF fields may interfere with tonic aspects of neuronal input to the pineal gland, giving rise to what may be termed functional pinealectomy. If long-term exposure to ELF fields causes pineal dysfunction in human beings as it does in the rat, such dysfunction may contribute to the onset of depression or may exacerbate existing depressive disorders. 85 references.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6839915
• Journal Information: Bioelectromagnetics (N.Y.); (United States), Vol. 9:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
MENTAL DISORDERS
EPIDEMIOLOGY
PINEAL GLAND
SENSITIVITY
TRANSFERASES
ENZYME ACTIVITY
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
MELATONIN
REVIEWS
SEROTONIN
AMINES
AROMATICS
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM AGENTS
AZAARENES
AZOLES
BODY
DOCUMENT TYPES
DRUGS
ENZYMES
GLANDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INDOLES
NEUROREGULATORS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PYRROLES
RADIOPROTECTIVE SUBSTANCES
SYMPATHOMIMETICS
TRYPTAMINES
560400* - Other Environmental Pollutant Effects
550900 - Pathology