Investigation of effects of short-term exposure to 50HZ magnetic field on central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems in rats

Although a large number of exposure studies have been carried out to investigate possible detrimental effects of a power-line frequency magnetic field (PF-MF; 50-60Hz) on living organisms, there is no consensus in reported results. Recent research suggested that short-term exposure to a 50Hz PF-MF can have a greater effect than long-term exposure. In our study, we aimed to investigate the possible effect of short-term 50Hz PF-MF exposure on central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems through electroencephalogram (EEG), nerve conduction velocity (NCV), and heart rate variability (HRV) measurements. To that end, Wistar albino rats and sciatic nerves gathered from the rats were exposed to a 50Hz, 0.3mT MF, and changes on EEG, NCV, and HRV were investigated. According to data we gathered, MF frequency and magnetic flux density that we applied did not affect EEG, NCV, or HRV. The reason for conflicting results gathered from MF exposure studies may be that the nervous system can be affected by a specific MF frequency and magnetic flux density, but that different MF exposures do not affect it. Moreover, exposure duration to MF may also have influenced results. Bioelectromagnetics. 36:420-429, 2015. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.