Examining the effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on cognitive functions and functional brain markers in aged mice

Abstract Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) are ubiquitously present in various environments of everyday life. While surveys from the World Health Organization (WHO) have not demonstrated the existence of ELF-MF-induced harmful consequences in healthy subjects, whether older adults ar...

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Main Authors: Senka Hadzibegovic, Olivier Nicole, Vojislav Andelkovic, Florence Poulletier de Gannes, Annabelle Hurtier, Isabelle Lagroye, Bruno Bontempi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93230-y
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author Senka Hadzibegovic
Olivier Nicole
Vojislav Andelkovic
Florence Poulletier de Gannes
Annabelle Hurtier
Isabelle Lagroye
Bruno Bontempi
author_facet Senka Hadzibegovic
Olivier Nicole
Vojislav Andelkovic
Florence Poulletier de Gannes
Annabelle Hurtier
Isabelle Lagroye
Bruno Bontempi
author_sort Senka Hadzibegovic
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) are ubiquitously present in various environments of everyday life. While surveys from the World Health Organization (WHO) have not demonstrated the existence of ELF-MF-induced harmful consequences in healthy subjects, whether older adults are more vulnerable to the effects of residential and occupational ELF-MF exposure, and therefore may be at risk, remains unsettled. Here, we explored this potential health issue by investigating, in aged mice, the effects of chronic exposure to ELF-MFs (50 Hz ELF-MF at 1 mT for 8 h/day, 5 days/week for 12 consecutive weeks) on cognitive functions and expression profile of brain markers typically associated with aggravated aging or the development of Alzheimer`s disease (AD). Sham-exposed mice showed a significant age-related decline in spatial memory functions compared to young adult mice. However, this expected pattern was neither exacerbated nor counteracted by chronic exposure to ELF-MFs. No difference in hippocampal expression of APP-695, Aβ(1−42), S100b and GFAP proteins or in the pTau/Tau ratio was observed between sham- and ELF-MF-exposed aged mice, suggesting that chronic exposure to ELF-MFs does not aggravate aging and associated neuroinflammation, or promote pathological pathways involved in the initiation of AD. Because care should be taken in extrapolating these results to older adults with various comorbidities, applying current exposure limits to existing or new sensitive ELF-MF locations is recommended.
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spelling doaj-art-e3f50b0fae3d42e5b506b7112e69538d2025-08-20T03:02:21ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-0115111610.1038/s41598-025-93230-yExamining the effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on cognitive functions and functional brain markers in aged miceSenka Hadzibegovic0Olivier Nicole1Vojislav Andelkovic2Florence Poulletier de Gannes3Annabelle Hurtier4Isabelle Lagroye5Bruno Bontempi6Neurocentre Magendie, INSERM U1215, Université de BordeauxInstitut Interdisciplinaire de Neurosciences, CNRS UMR 5297, Université de BordeauxLaboratoire de l’Intégration du Matériau au Système, CNRS UMR 5218, Université de Bordeaux, 33405, Talence, France and Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes-PSLLaboratoire de l’Intégration du Matériau au Système, CNRS UMR 5218, Université de Bordeaux, 33405, Talence, France and Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes-PSLLaboratoire de l’Intégration du Matériau au Système, CNRS UMR 5218, Université de Bordeaux, 33405, Talence, France and Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes-PSLLaboratoire de l’Intégration du Matériau au Système, CNRS UMR 5218, Université de Bordeaux, 33405, Talence, France and Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes-PSLInstitut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d’Aquitaine, CNRS UMR 5287, Université de Bordeaux and Ecole Pratique des Hautes EtudesAbstract Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) are ubiquitously present in various environments of everyday life. While surveys from the World Health Organization (WHO) have not demonstrated the existence of ELF-MF-induced harmful consequences in healthy subjects, whether older adults are more vulnerable to the effects of residential and occupational ELF-MF exposure, and therefore may be at risk, remains unsettled. Here, we explored this potential health issue by investigating, in aged mice, the effects of chronic exposure to ELF-MFs (50 Hz ELF-MF at 1 mT for 8 h/day, 5 days/week for 12 consecutive weeks) on cognitive functions and expression profile of brain markers typically associated with aggravated aging or the development of Alzheimer`s disease (AD). Sham-exposed mice showed a significant age-related decline in spatial memory functions compared to young adult mice. However, this expected pattern was neither exacerbated nor counteracted by chronic exposure to ELF-MFs. No difference in hippocampal expression of APP-695, Aβ(1−42), S100b and GFAP proteins or in the pTau/Tau ratio was observed between sham- and ELF-MF-exposed aged mice, suggesting that chronic exposure to ELF-MFs does not aggravate aging and associated neuroinflammation, or promote pathological pathways involved in the initiation of AD. Because care should be taken in extrapolating these results to older adults with various comorbidities, applying current exposure limits to existing or new sensitive ELF-MF locations is recommended.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93230-yExtremely low-frequency magnetic fieldsMemory functionsAgingAlzheimer’s disease
spellingShingle Senka Hadzibegovic
Olivier Nicole
Vojislav Andelkovic
Florence Poulletier de Gannes
Annabelle Hurtier
Isabelle Lagroye
Bruno Bontempi
Examining the effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on cognitive functions and functional brain markers in aged mice
Scientific Reports
Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields
Memory functions
Aging
Alzheimer’s disease
title Examining the effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on cognitive functions and functional brain markers in aged mice
title_full Examining the effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on cognitive functions and functional brain markers in aged mice
title_fullStr Examining the effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on cognitive functions and functional brain markers in aged mice
title_full_unstemmed Examining the effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on cognitive functions and functional brain markers in aged mice
title_short Examining the effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields on cognitive functions and functional brain markers in aged mice
title_sort examining the effects of extremely low frequency magnetic fields on cognitive functions and functional brain markers in aged mice
topic Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields
Memory functions
Aging
Alzheimer’s disease
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93230-y
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