Work

Stimulus effects of extremely low‐frequency electric field exposure on calcium oscillations in a human cortical spheroid

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: High‐intensity, low‐frequency (1 Hz to 100 kHz) electric and magnetic fields (EF and MF) cause electrical excitation of the nervous system via an induced EF (iEF) in living tissue. However, the biological properties and thresholds of stimulus effects on synchronized activity in a three‐dimensional (3D) neuronal network remain uncertain. In this study, we evaluated changes in neuronal network activity during extremely low‐frequency EF (ELF‐EF) exposure by measuring intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) oscillations, which reflect neuronal network activity. For ELF‐EF exposure experiments, we used a human cortical spheroid (hCS), a 3D‐cultured neuronal network generated from human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)‐derived cortical neurons. A 50 Hz sinusoidal ELF‐EF exposure modulated [Ca2+]i oscillations with dependencies on exposure intensity and duration. Based on the experimental setup and results, the iEF distribution inside the hCS was estimated using high‐resolution numerical dosimetry. The numerical estimation revealed threshold values ranging between 255–510 V/m (peak) and 131–261 V/m (average). This indicates that thresholds of neuronal excitation in the hCS were equivalent to those of a thin nerve fiber.

Source: Bioelectromagnetics

DOI: 10.1002/bem.22521

Authors: Atsushi Saito, Takeo Shiina, Yoichi Sekiba

Institution: Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry

Language: English

Topic: Electromagnetic Fields and Biological Effects

Subfield: Biophysics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,290