Cited by 63Electromagnetic Fields and Biological EffectsMagnetic and Electromagnetic EffectsTranscranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies

Effects of electromagnetic fields on neuronal ion channels: A systematic review

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Bertagna, Federico, Lewis, Rebecca, Silva, S. Ravi P., McFadden, Johnjoe, Jeevaratnam, Kamalan·2021·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

Abstract

Many aspects of chemistry and biology are mediated by electromagnetic field (EMF) interactions. The central nervous system (CNS) is particularly sensitive to EMF stimuli. Studies have explored the direct effect of different EMFs on the electrical properties of neurons in the last two decades, particularly focusing on the role of voltage-gated ion channels (VGCs). This work aims to systematically review published evidence in the last two decades detailing the effects of EMFs on neuronal ion channels as per the PRISM guidelines. Following a predetermined exclusion and inclusion criteria, 22 papers were included after searches on three online databases. Changes in calcium homeostasis, attributable to the voltage-gated calcium channels, were found to be the most commonly reported result of EMF exposure. EMF effects on the neuronal landscape appear to be diverse and greatly dependent on parameters, such as the field's frequency, exposure time, and intrinsic properties of the irradiated tissue, such as the expression of VGCs. Here, we systematically clarify how neuronal ion channels are particularly affected and differentially modulated by EMFs at multiple levels, such as gating dynamics, ion conductance, concentration in the membrane, and gene and protein expression. Ion channels represent a major transducer for EMF-related effects on the CNS.

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  • Experiments have demonstrated that synchronous neuronal firing has a functional role in the brain and that the brain's endogenous EM field contributes to recruiting neurons into synchronously firing networks.

    “For example, Refs. [26,76,77] reported experiments demonstrating that synchronous neuronal firing has a functional role in the brain and that the brain’s endogenous EM field contributes to recruiting neurons into synchronously firing networks.”

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1499 (2021) 82-103 © 2021 The Authors. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of New York Academy of Sciences
  2. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1499 (2021) 82-103 © 2021 The Authors. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of New York Academy of Sciences through increase of AA/PGE2 and EP receptor-mediated cAMP/PKA pathway. PLoS One 8. e54376.
  3. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1499 (2021) 82-103 © 2021 The Authors. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of New York Academy of Sciences
  4. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1499 (2021) 82-103 © 2021 The Authors. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of New York Academy of Sciences

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Authors
Bertagna, F., Lewis, R., Silva, S. R. P., McFadden, J., & Jeevaratnam, K.
Affiliations
University of Surrey (GB)
Corresponding author
Jeevaratnam, Kamalan
Venue
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2021-05-04
Volume
1499
Issue
1
Pages
82-103
ISSN
  • 0077-8923 (ISSN-L)
  • 1749-6632
OpenAlex
W3159135914
Cited by
63
References
112
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 5
FWCI
1.25
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • HAL (submittedVersion)
Funders
Leverhulme Trust (DS‐2017‐079)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biophysics › Electromagnetic Fields and Biological Effects
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Physiology › Magnetic and Electromagnetic Effects
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies
Keywords
electromagnetic fields, voltage-gated ion channels, neuronal ion channels, voltage-gated calcium channels, calcium homeostasis, channel gating, ionic conductance, gene and protein expression, central nervous system, electromagnetic field exposure, frequency dependence, exposure time
MeSH terms
Animals, Biological Transport, Brain, Electromagnetic Fields, Humans, Ion Channels, Ions, Neurons, Signal Transduction, Biomarkers, Ion Channel Gating, Electrophysiological Phenomena

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