Sudden death in epileptic rats exposed to nocturnal magnetic fields that simulate the shape and the intensity of sudden changes in geomagnetic activity: an experiment in response to Schnabel, Beblo and May

Extremely-low frequency magnetic field exposure for simulating geomagnetic pulsations in Alexandrium pacificum and Gymnodinium catenatum cultures

Growth and chain formation in cultures of the chain-forming dinoflagellates Alexandrium pacificum and Gymnodinium catenatum were previously found to be susceptible to space weather variables. A clock drive was used to deliver a frequency of 0.5 Hz and central amplitude of 7 µT in order to perform in vitro simulation of geomagnetic pulsations (composed of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields, ELFMF) which occur during high geomagnetic activity (GMA) periods. Short-term exposure (hours) to this ELFMF increased relative cell growth around 10 nT of naturally occurring GMA. Relative growth outside these intervals gradually approached 0% or was negative for G. catenatum. Differential survival to a subsequent shock was inversely related to growth, and minimal survival coincided with the same 10 nT interval. Relative growth and survival displayed opposite hormetic curves towards GMA: inverted U-shaped for growth, and J-shaped for survival. After exposure to this ELFMF, positive phototaxis response was not lost, but the percentage of cells swimming was slightly reduced. Long-term exposure (days) increased relative growth in A. pacificum but reduced in G. catenatum when low GMA was taking place. These alterations in growth were both associated with a reduction in the cellular pool of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs). MAAs that are more susceptible to oxidation were more reduced than those resistant, highlighting that an ELFMF can act by increasing cellular oxidative stress status. The higher susceptibility of G. catenatum found is in compliance with the previous association of its natural populations at the western Iberia coast with periods of solar activity minima and GMA minima.

Electromagnetic activity: a possible player in epilepsy

Epilepsy is a common disease with frequent occurrences. Many precipitating factors contribute to epileptic seizures, such as hyperventilation and alcohol consumption. An increasing number of studies have also found that electromagnetic activity in the environment can also affect epileptic seizures. However, many neuromodulatory devices that produce electromagnetic fields have been applied in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy. In this paper, we performed literature search in the PubMed, Medline and EMBASE databases and reviewed retrospective, prospective, or cross-sectional studies and case reports on the effects of electromagnetic activity on epilepsy. The application of electromagnetic activity in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy is also reviewed.

Impairment in behavioral sedation in rats during periods of elevated global geomagnetic activity

The influence of the geomagnetic environment on the human organism and other biological entities has been a topic of intense scientific investigation. A large and growing body of evidence has linked elevated geomagnetic activity with effects on an array of neurological, immunological, cardiovascular, and psychological outcomes. For example, elevations in the rates of epileptic seizures, suicides, aggressive behavior, sleep disturbances, and sudden unexpected death from cardiac pathologies have been reported to occur more frequently on days associated with increased geomagnetic activity. Additional evidence also suggests that geomagnetic conditions might have an impact on the biological actions of specific drugs classes that have important implications for pain management, sedation, and seizure control. The present study set out to determine if periods of enhanced geomagnetic activity could influence the induction of behavioral sedation by pentobarbital in rodents undergoing a routine surgical procedure. The surgical records of 250 subjects were retrospectively analyzed, and the occurrence of complete behavioral sedation (e.g., loss of righting reflex, lack of nociceptive response to tail pinch, absence of corneal and conjunctive reflexes) was noted. We found a significant correlation between periods of increased geomagnetic activity and the number of non-responsive surgical patients (i.e., patients still demonstrating behavioral responsiveness after treatment with pentobarbital). These findings provide evidence for the first time that the potential efficacy of some surgical anesthetic compounds might be reduced on days associated with increased geomagnetic activity. Potential mechanisms are presented, and the broad implications of these findings to phenomena such as surgical awareness are discussed.

Group planarian sudden mortality: Is the threshold around global geomagnetic activity ≥K6?

Sudden deaths in groups of animals have been observed by field and laboratory biologists. We have measured mortalities in large group-housed planarian during the infrequent periods of very intense geomagnetic activity. In 13 separate episodes over the last 5 y we have observed the sudden death in our laboratory of hundreds of planarian if their density was about 1 worm per cc and the global geomagnetic activity was K≥6 the day before or the day of the observation of the mortality. Such mortality never occurred in other conditions or days. Both estimates of the "magnetic moment" of a planarian in magnetic fields above this threshold of sustained magnetic flux density as well as the magnetic energy within the planarian volume predict values that could affect phenomenon associated with the total numbers of pH-dependent charges within each worm. These conditions could affect the Levin-Burr bioelectrical signals and networks that affect patterning information and sustainability in whole living systems. The establishment of a central reservoir for the report of these transient events might allow Life Scientists to more fully appreciate the impact of these pervasive global stimuli upon dense groups of animals.

Temporally-patterned magnetic fields induce complete fragmentation in planaria

A tandem sequence composed of weak temporally-patterned magnetic fields was discovered that produced 100% dissolution of planarian in their home environment. After five consecutive days of 6.5 hr exposure to a frequency-modulated magnetic field (0.1 to 2 µT), immediately followed by an additional 6.5 hr exposure on the fifth day, to another complex field (0.5 to 5 µT) with exponentially increasing spectral power 100% of planarian dissolved within 24 hr. Reversal of the sequence of the fields or presentation of only one pattern for the same duration did not produce this effect. Direct video evidence showed expansion (by visual estimation ∼twice normal volume) of the planarian following the first field pattern followed by size reduction (estimated ∼1/2 of normal volume) and death upon activation of the second pattern. The contortions displayed by the planarian during the last field exposure suggest effects on contractile proteins and alterations in the cell membrane’s permeability to water.

Leaps in cardiovascular diseases after a decrease of hard cosmic ray flux and atmospheric pressure in Vilnius city in 2004-2007

The prognostic relationship between a decrease of hard cosmic ray flux (HCRF) and subsequent leaps in cardiovascular disease (CVD) occurrence within 1-3 days is well known. The influence of meteorological situations on human health is also known. However, no correlation was found between a simultaneous decrease of HCRF and atmospheric pressure and the leaps of CVD on some days. For the analysis of a prognostic connection between these parameters, empirical criteria have been put forward. To achieve effective results from analysis, the criteria of a continuous decrease of HCRF to 200 impulses or more within 4 h and of atmospheric pressure by 2 mmHg or more were used. CVD leaps were considered real when their number increased by 10% or more in comparison with the average monthly value. The highest prognostic correlation between HCRF decrease and CVD leaps within 1-2 days was from 64 to 76%. The correlation within 2-3 days was lower. The correlation between atmospheric pressure decrease and leaps of CVD in 1-2 days and on the same day was 25-44%. It means that, while studying the meteorological effects on human organisms, other parameters such as temperature, humidity, wind velocity, etc. should also be taken into account. An essential role in reducing the prognostic accuracy of CVD leaps by a decrease of HCRF relates to the human factor.

Combined effects of electromagnetic fields on immune and nervous responses

In technologically developed countries, there is concern about hazards from electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Several studies have reported that immune and neuroendocrine systems exert an integrated response to EMF exposure. The aim of this review is to summarize the results of studies on the effect of low and high frequency EMF on immune and neuroendocrine systems on which our research group has been working for several years.

A potential multiple resonance mechanism by which weak magnetic fields affect molecules and medical problems: The example of melatonin and experimental “multiple sclerosis”

A biophysical hypothesis to explain the powerful ameliorating effects of weak (nanoTesla range) magnetic fields on melatonin-related diseases is presented. The effects are dependent upon the molarity of the melatonin within specific organ spaces. The optimal ameliorating effects upon experimental allergic encephalomyelitis for both the derived intensities (about 35 and 70 nT) and the frequency (7 Hz) were congruent with the empirical observations from previously published and unpublished experiments with rats involving about 1-5000 nT strengths of either 0.5, 7, 40, or 60 Hz magnetic fields. The hypothesis predicts that weaker magnetic fields within the nanoTesla to picoTesla range would optimally affect concentrations of melatonin (in this situation) within the micromolar range and that neurological states (epilepsy) or conditions (ethanol, antidepressants, sleep deprivation) that affect nocturnal melatonin levels in human beings would determine the optimal effective intensity within the 7 Hz range. The resonance solution also suggests that mitochondrial proton gradients may be critical to the process. The model offers an alternative explanation to the variations of Faraday's Law and the Boltzmann constant that have been employed to explain and to dismiss biological effects from weak magnetic fields.