Abstracts

Dr. Pawluk has chosen a collection of abstracts from medical journals demonstrating findings of facts about magnetic fields and health. Thousands of medical reviews can now be reached via the internet. Although most of the reviews are only available for a fee, their abstracts, which include the final findings, are available for free.

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Depression/Neurochemistry

Article: Autoradiographic evaluation of electromagnetic field effects on serotonin (5HT1A) receptors in rat brain. (Biomed Sci Instrum. 2003;39:466-70)
Authors: Johnson MT, McCullough J, Nindl G, Chamberlain JK.

Serotonin (5HT1A) is a chemical mediator of inflammation and the largest single neurotransmitter system of the brain. Its secretion and physiological actions mediate stress and pain, affecting both immune and nervous system functions through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Serotonin receptor dysfunction is well-characterized in mental disturbances like depression and anxiety. Transcranial magnetic stimulation has been used therapeutically to treat refractory disorders like non-responsive depression and may act in part through its effect on 5HT1A receptors. Previously we have shown that in vitro, 5HT1A receptor binding to a radioactive agonist can be modulated by specific intensity and frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs). In the present report we have used quantitative receptor autoradiography to evaluate 5HT1A receptor density in rat brain and the impact of pulsed EMF exposure on receptor binding in key brain regions. Rats used in this study had whole body exposures to either a geofield control or to pulsed EMFs to evaluate the treatment for chemically-induced tendinitis. Since the brains were exposed coincidentally as a consequence of the main experiment, we investigated the potential for EMF-induced changes in areas such as the hippocampus. This pilot study should provide a detailed understanding of magnetic field effects on stress-responsive brain regions and will lead to a more coordinated approach to the use of such modalities for therapeutic intervention in humans.

To link to the PubMed article about electromagnetic fields and serotonin, click here.
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Tendonitis

Article: Localized pulsed magnetic fields for tendonitis therapy. (Biomed Sci Instrum. 2006;42:428-33)
Author: Owegi R, Johnson MT.

Energy medicine has existed for centuries in some parts of the world, but in recent years, western health care practitioners have taken a heightened interest in these therapies. Treatment by use of pulsed magnetic fields (PMF) is currently being explored in both chronic and inflammatory diseases such as cancer, epilepsy, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and tendinitis. In the U.S., PMFs have already been approved for use in treatment of bone fractures in humans and clinical trials have been conducted for lower back pain. This study presents a summary of the therapeutic potential of a localized PMF treatment for tendinitis using the Softpulse III system. This system has been used to accelerate wound healing and soft tissue swelling. It generates a specific PMF that induces an electrical field within the tendon. This induced electrical field is thought to influence the healing process by affecting the inflammatory cells that line the tendon sheath. In this study, we have used an established model of tendinitis along with a validated method for appraising edema and gait (Achilles’ Functional Index), to test the hypothesis that the proposed PMF signal is effective in reducing the indicators of acute tendinitis injury. These experiments were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Our findings suggest a role for the treatment of soft tissue injury using the Softpulse III therapeutic device. The symbolic stand point of PMF treatments is to push the need for a revolutionary leap, from the more dominant pharmaceutical and surgical interventions, to the advanced applications of non-invasive therapies that would minimize the medicinal risk of side effects, and eliminate the risk of complicated drug interactions.

Dr. Pawluk note: This device uses a 27.12 MHz sinusoidal signal.

To link to the PubMed article about PEMFs and tendonitis, click here.

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Tumors/Cancer

Article: Effects of 100 mT time varying magnetic fields on the growth of tumors in mice. (Bioelectromagnetics 2000 Feb;21(2):107-11)
Authors: de Seze R, Tuffet S, Moreau JM, Veyret B.

The effects of 100-mT, 0.8-Hz square-wave magnetic fields on the growth of chemically induced tumors in mice were investigated. Tumors were initiated using one injection of benzo(a)pyrene (either 0.2 mg or 2.0 mg/animal). Male and female mice (Balb/c, C3H and C57/bl/6 strains) were exposed for 8 h/day from the onset of tumor until death or until the tumor volume reached a predetermined volume. Statistically significant decrease in the rate of tumor growth and increase in survival were observed in all cases. Results are discussed in terms of previous published work and of possible mechanisms.

Dr. Pawluk note: This study suggests that a moderately sized PEMF, with fairly extended exposure for eight hours per day, can reduce the growth of tumors once started. However, it should be noted that mice are not humans, and it is not always possible to extrapolate from animals to humans in the way cancers behave.

To link to the PubMed article about PEMFs and tumors, click here.

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Heart Attack

Article: Protective effect of low frequency low energy pulsing electromagnetic fields on acute experimental myocardial infarcts in rats. (Bioelectromagnetics 1999 Sep;20(6):372-7)
Authors: Albertini A, Zucchini P, Noera G, Cadossi R, Napoleone CP, Pierangeli A.

This series of experiments assesses the effect of exposure to low-frequency pulsing electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) in 340 rats with acute experimental myocardial infarcts. The left anterior descending artery was ligated with suture thread, and the rats underwent total body exposure to PEMFs until they were killed. Twenty-four hours after surgery, the necrotic area was evaluated by staining with triphenyltetrazolium chloride. A significant reduction of the necrotic area was observed in the animals exposed to PEMFs compared with the nonexposed controls. Exposure for up to 6 days does not appear to affect the area of necrosis, although in exposed animals an increase of vascular invasion of the necrotic area is observed: 24.3 % as against 11.3 % in controls. No effect on the necrotic area size from exposure was found when the left anterior descending artery was occluded for 60 min, followed by reperfusion. The results reported show that exposure to PEMFs is able to limit the area of necrosis after an acute ischemic injury caused by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending artery. These data are in agreement with the protective effect of PEMFs observed on acute ischemia in skin free flaps in rats and in cerebral infarcts in rabbits.

Dr. Pawluk note: This type of experimental study could never be done in humans and shows how important PEMFs can be in protecting the heart during a heart attack to reduce the extent of damage.

To link to the PubMed article about PEMFs and heart attacks, click here.

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Trace Mineral Changes

Article: Macro- and trace element concentrations in blood plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of dairy cows exposed to electric and magnetic fields. (Bioelectromagnetics 1999 Sep;20(6):358-64)
Authors: Burchard JF, Nguyen DH, Block E

Eight multiparous, nonlactating pregnant Holstein cows (at 198 +/- 35 days of gestation and weighing 608 + 24 kg) and seven nonlactating nonpregnant ovariectomized heifers (weighing 370 + 29 kg) were confined to wooden metabolism crates in an electric and magnetic field chamber. Subarachnoidal catheters were inserted before the activation of the electric and magnetic fields. For 30 days, cows and heifers were continuously exposed in separate trials to electric and magnetic fields (60 Hz, 10 kV/m, and 30 microT). Blood plasma and cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected for 3 consecutive days before the exposure period, the last 3 days of the exposure period, and for 3 days starting 5 days after the exposure period. Concentrations of Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Na, P, and K in blood plasma and cerebrospinal fluid were determined. Exposure to electric and magnetic fields resulted in decreased concentrations of Mg in blood plasma and in increased concentrations of Ca and P and decreased concentrations of Fe and Mn in cerebrospinal fluid.

Dr. Pawluk note: This study supports the notion that individuals receiving ongoing PEMF therapy may well need supplementation with magnesium. One would only know for sure by measuring red cell magnesium levels to determine the level of need, preferably before and after magnetic field exposure.

To link to the PubMed article about PEMFs and mineral changes, click here.

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Sleep

Article: Human sleep in 60 Hz magnetic fields. (Bioelectromagnetics 1999;20(5):277-83)
Author: Graham C, Cook MR.

This report describes a double-blind, laboratory-based study of 24 healthy young men in which sufficient data were collected to examine the effects of intermittent versus continuous exposure to a 60 Hz, 28.3 microT magnetic field on multiple EEG measures of night sleep. Intermittent, but not continuous or sham exposure, was associated with less total sleep time, reduced sleep efficiency, increased time in Stage II sleep, and decreased REM sleep. Subjects exposed intermittently to the field also reported sleeping less well and feeling less rested in the morning than subjects in the other two groups. All observed effects were significant at P < or = .04 or less. The public health relevance of these results cannot be assessed as yet. Poor sleep quality, however, can have a detrimental influence on worker safety and performance, and has been associated with decrements in memory and learning processes. Additional research appears warranted.

Dr. Pawluk note: This study suggests that intermittent exposure during the night to a PEMF may disrupt sleep, whereas continuous exposure, enhances sleep. The Earth Pulse device provides continuous nighttime exposure.

To link to the PubMed article about PEMFs and sleep, click here.

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Embryo Survival and Genetics Effects

Article: Is genetics the unrecognized confounding factor in bioelectromagnetics? Flock-dependence of field-induced anoxia protection in chick embryos. (Bioelectrochem Bioenerg 1999 Feb;48(1):209-15)
Authors: Di Carlo AL, Litovitz TA.

Work in bioelectromagnetics has long been plagued by problems with replication. This includes experiments done on electromagnetic (EM) field-induced effects in chick embryos. Our laboratory investigated responses of embryos from two flocks of White Leghorn hens. Both flocks were studied simultaneously, and it was found that they responded differently to EM field exposures. Embryos were exposed to 60 Hz, 8 microT EM fields prior to placement in an anoxic chamber. Following re-oxygenation, survival in controls was 34.6%, exposed flock 1 survival was 62% (P < 0.0001) and exposed flock 2 survival was 43% (P < 0.0136). P values are from comparison of data between EM field exposed embryos (flocks 1 and 2) versus controls. In order to induce maximum protection in flock 2, (approximately 62% survival), embryos required a longer exposure time at higher magnetic field strengths. These results reinforce the concepts that genetics are important in determining whether or not chick embryos will respond to EM field stimulation. A broader look at the role of genetic factors emphasizes that these variations in response to external stimuli (e.g., drugs, radiation, and EM fields) are found in all areas of biological research (cell culture, chick, rat, and human studies). The present study suggests that genetics may be a prime cause of the difficulties encountered in replication studies in the field of bioelectromagnetics. We conclude that replication studies should not be undertaken unless care is taken to insure that exactly the same strains of cells or animals are used. Researchers should also first confirm that the responses of their model to non-EM field stimuli are similar to that obtained in the original study.

Dr. Pawluk note: This study is important in demonstrating increased survival of embryos deprived of oxygen for those exposed to a very low intensity PEMF compared to those without that treatment. The study also shows that there are genetic variations in the intensity of the magnetic field needed across individuals to increase survival. This genetic variation contributes to the complexity of comparing studies, individuals and populations.

To link to the PubMed article about PEMFs and embryo survival, click here.

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Bone Formation

Article: Correlation between pulsed electromagnetic fields exposure time and cell proliferation increase in human osteosarcoma cell lines and human normal osteoblast cells in vitro. (Bioelectromagnetics 1999;20(3):177-82)
Authors: De Mattei M, Caruso A, Traina GC, Pezzetti F, Baroni T, Sollazzo V.

We have exposed cultured bone cells to a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) for different times to find the minimal exposure time necessary to stimulate an increase of DNA synthesis. We used two different human osteosarcoma cell lines, TE-85 and MG-63, and human normal osteoblast cell (NHOC) obtained from surgical bone specimens. The cells were placed in multiwell plates and set in a tissue culture incubator between a pair of Helmoltz coils powered by a pulse generator (1.3-ms pulse, repeated at 75 Hz) for different periods of time. [3H] Thymidine incorporation was used to evaluate cell proliferation. The two osteosarcoma cell lines increase their thymidine incorporation when exposed to a PEMF for at least 30 min, both in a medium containing 10% fetal calf serum and in a serum-free medium. NHOC are known to increase their cell proliferation when exposed to PEMF but only if cultured in the presence of 10% fetal calf serum. In this experimental condition, three of the four cell lineages studied required at least 9 h of PEMF exposure to increase their DNA synthesis, whereas one cell lineage increased its cell proliferation after 6 h of PEMF exposure. Our observations confirm the hypothesis that the proliferative responses of NHOC and human osteosarcoma cell lines to PEMF exposure are quite different. Moreover, NHOC required minimal exposure times to PEMF to increase their cell proliferation, similar to that needed to stimulate bone formation in vivo.

Dr. Pawluk note: Basic evidence support for the fact that normal bone cells exposed to PE MFs have enhanced growth.

To link to the PubMed article about PEMFs and bone formation, click here.

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Alzheimer’s Disease

Article: Effects of low versus high frequencies of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on cognitive function and cortical excitability in Alzheimer’s dementia. (2011 Jun 14)
Authors: Ahmed MA, Darwish ES, Khedr EM, El Serogy YM, Ali AM. J Neurol.

The aim of the study was to compare the long-term efficacy of high versus low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), applied bilaterally over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), on cognitive function and cortical excitability of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Forty-five AD patients were randomly classified into three groups. The first two  groups received real rTMS over the DLPFC (20 and 1Â Hz, respectively) while the third group received sham stimulation. All patients received one session daily for five consecutive days. In each session, rTMS was applied first over the right DLPFC, immediately followed by rTMS over the left DLPFC. Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Instrumental Daily Living Activity (IADL) scale and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were assessed before, after the last (fifth) session, and then followed up at 1 and 3 months. Neurophysiological evaluations included resting and active motor threshold (rMT and aMT), and the duration of transcallosal inhibition (TI) before and after the end of the treatment sessions. At base line assessment there were no significant differences between groups in any of the rating scales. The high frequency rTMS group improved significantly more than the low frequency and sham groups in all rating scales (MMSE, IADL, and GDS) and at all time points after treatment. Measures of cortical excitability immediately after the last treatment session showed that treatment with 20 Hz rTMS reduced TI duration. These results confirm that five daily sessions of high  frequency rTMS over the left and then the right DLPFC improves cognitive function in patients with mild to moderate degree of AD. This improvement was maintained for 3 months. High frequency rTMS may be a useful addition to therapy for the treatment of AD.

Dr. Pawluk note: Medium- to high-intensity PEMF stimulation of the brain may be very helpful for Alzheimer’s patients with mild to moderate disease. However, this study looked at doing five treatments per day. It is possible that some of the same benefits may be found with the use of the PEMF 100 or Curatron, with a high intensity pad. Both these systems would allow home therapy.

To link to the PubMed article about PEMFs and Alzheimer’s dementia, click here.

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