Effects on the nervous system by exposure to electromagnetic fields: experimental and clinical studies
Exposure to electromagnetic fields may cause various types of effects on nervous tissue, in severe cases even irreversible damage. The exposure conditions, i.e. frequency including type and extent of modulation, time, intensity, wave form, as well as shape, size and position of exposed subject and possible treatment with drugs, are factors determining if damage, acute or chronic, ultimately result. Long term exposure of newborn rabbits, rats and mice to electromagnetic fields of power frequency (10-14 kV/m; 50 or 60 Hz; sinusoidal wave form; 21-24 h per day) may cause affection and even damage to the nervous system. Large nerve cells showed reactive changes such as lamellar bodies and cytoskeletal alteration to an extent varying with exposure conditions. Reactive neuroglial changes as well as increase in neuroglial marker proteins could concomitantly be demonstrated. The changes seemed to be reversible although we only have incomplete data available. Exposure in vitro of frog sciatic nerve to 16-60 Hz sinusoidal low current (50-1000 nA) for 17 h induced cytoskeletal changes. Exposure of rabbits to pulsed microwaves of moderate to high intensity during 1 h per day during three days resulted in no obvious initial changes in behavior. Minimal acute damage could be demonstrated. However, after two to four months and later on both structural, immunohistochemical and biochemical changes could be documented. Radar technicians accidently and/or occupationally exposed to microwaves showed psychoneurological signs of affection as well as changes in cerebrospinal fluid protein pattern. No related changes have been noticed among matched controls.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Gothenburg (Sweden)
- OSTI ID:
- 5283410
- Journal Information:
- Prog. Clin. Biol. Res.; (United States), Vol. 257
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
SENSITIVITY
BRAIN
FROGS
RABBITS
RETINA
AMPHIBIANS
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BODY
BODY AREAS
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
EYES
FACE
HEAD
MAMMALS
ORGANS
SENSE ORGANS
VERTEBRATES
560400* - Other Environmental Pollutant Effects