Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

A comparative study on influences of static electric field and power frequency electric field on cognition in mice med./bio.

By: Di G, Kim H, Xu Y, Kim J, Gu X
Published in: Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 2019; 66: 91-95
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To examine the effects of exposure to a static electric field or a 50 Hz-electric field on learning and memory in mice.

Background/further details

Mice were randomly divided into four groups (n=50 per group): 1) static electric field exposure and 2) the respective control group, 3) 50 Hz electric field exposure and 4) the respective control group. The mice were exposed for 49 days and examined in the Morris water maze test on days 2-6, 9-13, 16-20, 30-34, and 44-48. After 7, 14, 21, 35, and 49 days of exposure, respectively ten mice per group were killed and the brain was taken to determine glutamine and GABA levels.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1:
Exposure duration: continuously for up to 49 days
Exposure 2: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuously for up to 49 days

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency
Type
Exposure duration continuously for up to 49 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber mice were housed and exposed in plastic cages (35 cm×25 cm×46 cm; length×width×height) with open tops; ten mice per cage
Setup the two electrodes (3 m diameter) which generated the static electric field were arranged in parallel with a distance of 1 m; the exposed group was placed around the center of the bottom electrode; temperature in the laboratory was kept at 22°C ± 1°C and humidity at 40-50%
Additional info cage of the control group was placed on the floor right under the exposure system
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 35 kV/m - measured - ± 1.1 kV/m

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration continuously for up to 49 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 35 kV/m - measured - ± 0.9 kV/m

Reference articles

  • Xu Y et al. (2018): Duration-dependent effect of exposure to static electric field on learning and memory ability in mice
  • Wu S et al. (2017): Does static electric field from ultra-high voltage direct-current transmission lines affect male reproductive capacity? Evidence from a laboratory study on male mice
  • Leitgeb N (2014): Limiting electric fields of HVDC overhead power lines
  • Johnson GB (1983): Electric Fields and Ion Currents of a ±400 kV HVDC Test Line

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • during exposure
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

In the Morris water maze, no significant differences were found between the group exposed to the static electric field and the respective control group. However, in mice exposed to the 50 Hz electric field, the latency was significantly reduced on exposure day 33 compared to the respective control group.
The level of glutamine and GABA was not significantly changed in mice exposed to the static electric field compared to the control group. However, in mice exposed to the 50 Hz electric field, the glutamine level was significantly increased after 21 and 35 days of exposure in comparison to the control group.
The authors conclude that the results indicate that a static electric fields has no influence; however a 50 Hz electric field could improve learning and memory in mice.

Study character:

Study funded by

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