Human cognitive performance in a 3 mT power-line frequency magnetic field

Extremely low frequency (ELF, <300 Hz) magnetic fields (MF) have been reported to modulate cognitive performance in humans. However, little research exists with MF exposures comparable to the highest levels experienced in occupations like power line workers and industrial welders. This research a...

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Published inBioelectromagnetics Vol. 32; no. 8; pp. 620 - 633
Main Authors Corbacio, Michael, Brown, Samantha, Dubois, Stephanie, Goulet, Daniel, Prato, Frank S., Thomas, Alex W., Legros, Alexandre
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.12.2011
Wiley
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Summary:Extremely low frequency (ELF, <300 Hz) magnetic fields (MF) have been reported to modulate cognitive performance in humans. However, little research exists with MF exposures comparable to the highest levels experienced in occupations like power line workers and industrial welders. This research aims to evaluate the impact of a 60 Hz, 3 mT MF on human cognitive performance. Ninety‐nine participants completed the double‐blind protocol, performing a selection of psychometric tests under two consecutive MF exposure conditions dictated by assignment to one of three groups (sham/sham, MF exposure/sham, or sham/MF exposure). Data were analyzed using a 3 × 2 mixed model analysis of variance. Performance between repetitions improved in 11 of 15 psychometric parameters (practice effect). A significant interaction effect on the digit span forward test (F = 5.21, P < 0.05) revealed an absence of practice effects for both exposure groups but not the control group. This memory test indicates MF‐induced abolition of the improvement associated with practice. Overall, this study does not establish any clear MF effect on human cognition. It is speculated that an ELF MF may interfere with the neuropsychological processes responsible for this short‐term learning effect supported by brain synaptic plasticity. Bioelectromagnetics. Bioelectromagnetics 32:620–633, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bibliography:Hydro-Québec
istex:921B3D7D7B71B89FA8B6E730FFF57D8D29DFAC14
ArticleID:BEM20676
ark:/67375/WNG-0GQNRNC5-Q
Électricité De France-Réseau de Transport d'Électricité
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
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SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-1
content type line 23
ObjectType-Article-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
ISSN:0197-8462
1521-186X
1521-186X
DOI:10.1002/bem.20676