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Human exposure to extremely low-frequency (< 300 Hz) electric/magnetic fields elicits a stroboscopic visual perception called electro/magneto phosphenes. The induction of phosphenes is the most exhaustively documented effect of in-situ electric fields. Thus, they are used by international guidelines as the basis for limiting human exposure to extremely low-frequency electric and magnetic fields. This study aimed to estimate the phosphene perception locus and threshold during an electric current stimulation for four different frequencies (20, 50, 60, and 100 Hz) and to estimate the associated in-situ electric field. Phosphene perception probabilities were calculated in 20 volunteers using binary logistic regressions applied to perceptual responses resulting from non-invasive transcranial alternating current stimulation between 0 and 2 mA delivered at 20, 50, 60, and 100 Hz. A dosimetry analysis was done to study the in-situ electric field induced in the retina during the electric stimulation. The data indicate that the stimulation current plays a significant role in the model’s predictions across all frequencies. Phosphene perception thresholds were lowest at 20 Hz, while no perceptible phosphene were observed at 100 Hz. The findings of this study are crucial for understanding the mechanisms of phosphene induction and further support the retinal origin of phosphenes. The observed thresholds and trends will inform updates to international guidelines and standards.

Magnetophosphenes are flickering lights perceived when an extremely low frequency magnetic field generates a sufficiently strong electric field in the head. Understanding how phosphenes are produced is crucial, as they form the basis for international safety standards and guidelines for both workers and the general population. However, there is still ongoing debate about whether this phenomenon originates in the retina, the cortex, or involves both. Investigating magnetophosphenes at various frequencies during dark adaptation provides deeper physiological insights into this process. Forty‐one participants were exposed to varying levels of magnetic stimulation using a custom global transcranial alternative magnetic stimulation system that provided full‐head exposure. Participants were divided into four groups: one light‐exposed group and three dark‐adapted groups, each assigned a different frequency (20, 50 and 60 Hz). Every 3 min during a 42‐min dark adaptation period, participants reported their threshold for magnetophosphene perception. Flux density thresholds were then compared across groups using repeated measures ANOVAs. The data acquired showed a significant ( F (15, 270) = 3.637, P  < 0.001) increase in the magnetophosphene threshold throughout the 42‐min darkness adaptation period. An inversed exponential decay regression was used to model the time course of the magnetophosphene threshold for each frequency. The rising magnetophosphene threshold during dark adaptation is likely linked to retinal phototransduction mechanisms, suggesting that magnetophosphene perception originates from rod cells in the retina. In addition to their significance for establishing new international guidelines and safety standards for workers and the public, our findings could also pave the way for new research into non‐invasive assessments of retinal dysfunction. What is the central question of this study? Does magnetophosphene threshold shift during dark adaptation, and do frequency‐dependent dynamics pinpoint a retinal versus cortical origin? What is the main finding and its importance? Thresholds rise throughout 42 min adaptation; a 9 min plateau at 20 Hz versus ∼22 min at 50/60 Hz mirrors rod dark‐adaptation kinetics, implicating a rod‐retinal origin. This refines ELF exposure limits and positions magnetophosphene testing as a non‐invasive biomarker of rod function.

Humans are exposed to environmental 60 Hz magnetic fields (MFs), inducing in our body electric fields (EFs) and currents, potentially stimulating the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Uncertainties exist regarding the 60 Hz MF PNS stimulation threshold. The spatially extended nonlinear node model (SENN) is used to help define international MF exposure guidelines and standards protecting workers and the general public. However, other models exist, particularly the McIntyre–Richardson–Grill (MRG) model, the new gold standard for electrostimulation. This study aims (1) to model a new extremely low frequency MF exposure system for the human leg and (2) to investigate the in situ EFs generated by the system at 60 Hz at the skin level and in the nerves of the leg using a realistic human body model with both the SENN and the MRG models. A Helmholtz like-coil system was designed to generate in situ EFs sufficient for nerve stimulation, modeled using Biot–Savart and Faraday laws. Sim4Life simulations assessed the induced EFs at skin and nerve levels using a detailed human body model and two nerve excitation frameworks: the SENN and MRG models. High EF intensities were observed in four sensory and sensory-motor nerves, with MRG-derived thresholds lower than SENN-derived thresholds. Results also highlight the significance of nerve orientation in EF induction. This study emphasizes the critical role of comprehensive modeling for the design and validation of MF exposure systems and underscores the need for experimental data to refine models, standards, and guidelines.

Several aspects of the human nervous system and associated motor and cognitive processes have been reported to be modulated by extremely low-frequency (ELF, < 300 Hz) time-varying Magnetic Fields (MF). Due do their worldwide prevalence; power-line frequencies (60 Hz in North America) are of particular interest. Despite intense research efforts over the last few decades, the potential effects of 60 Hz MF still need to be elucidated, and the underlying mechanisms to be understood. In this study, we have used functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to characterize potential changes in functional brain activation following human exposure to a 60 Hz MF through motor and cognitive tasks. First, pilot results acquired in a first set of subjects (N=9) were used to demonstrate the technical feasibility of using fMRI to detect subtle changes in functional brain activation with 60 Hz MF exposure at 1800 μT. Second, a full study involving a larger cohort of subjects tested brain activation during 1) a finger tapping task (N=20), and 2) a mental rotation task (N=21); before and after a one-hour, 60 Hz, 3000 μT MF exposure. The results indicate significant changes in task-induced functional brain activation as a consequence of MF exposure. However, no impact on task performance was found. These results illustrate the potential of using fMRI to identify MF-induced changes in functional brain activation, suggesting that a one-hour 60 Hz, 3000 μT MF exposure can modulate activity in specific brain regions after the end of the exposure period (i.e., residual effects). We discuss the possibility that MF exposure at 60 Hz, 3000 μT may be capable of modulating cortical excitability via a modulation of synaptic plasticity processes.

Humans are surrounded by sources of daily exposure to power-frequency (60 Hz in North America) magnetic fields (MFs). Such time-varying MFs induce electric fields and currents in living structures which possibly lead to biological effects. The present pilot study examined possible extremely low frequency (ELF) MF effects on human neuromotor control in general, and physiological postural tremor and electroencephalography (EEG) in particular. Since the EEG cortical mu-rhythm (8–12 Hz) from the primary motor cortex and physiological tremor are related, it was hypothesized that a 60 Hz MF exposure focused on this cortical region could acutely modulate human physiological tremor. Ten healthy volunteers (age: 23.8 ± 4 SD) were fitted with a MRI-compatible EEG cap while exposed to 11 MF conditions (60 Hz, 0 to 50 mTrms, 5 mTrms increments). Simultaneously, physiological tremor (recorded from the contralateral index finger) and EEG (from associated motor and somatosensory brain regions) were measured. Results showed no significant main effect of MF exposure conditions on any of the analyzed physiological tremor characteristics. In terms of EEG, no significant effects of the MF were observed for C1, C3, C5 and CP1 electrodes. However, a significant main effect was found for CP3 and CP5 electrodes, both suggesting a decreased mu-rhythm spectral power with increasing MF flux density. This is however not confirmed by Bonferroni corrected pairwise comparisons. Considering both EEG and tremor findings, no effect of the MF exposure on human motor control was observed. However, MF exposure had a subtle effect on the mu-rhythm amplitude in the brain region involved in tactile perception. Current findings are to be considered with caution due to the small size of this pilot work, but they provide preliminary insights to international agencies establishing guidelines regarding electromagnetic field exposure with new experimental data acquired in humans exposed to high mT-range MFs.

The effects of exposure to extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on human cardiovascular parameters remain undetermined. Epidemiological studies have utilized dosimetry estimations of employee workplace exposure using altered heart rate variability (HRV) as predictive of certain cardiovascular pathologies. Laboratory studies have focused on macrocirculatory indicators including heart rate, HRV and blood pressure. Few studies have been conducted on the response of the microcirculatory system to EMF exposure. Attempts to replicate both epidemiological and laboratory studies have been mostly unsuccessful as study design, small sample populations and confounding variables have hampered progress to date. Identification of these problems, in the current context of international exposure guideline re-evaluation, is essential for future EMF studies. These studies should address the possible deleterious health effects of EMFs as well as the detection and characterization of subtle physiological changes they may induce. Recommendations for future work include investigating the macro- and microcirculatory relationship and the use of laboratory geomagnetic shielding.

We propose a new method for selective modulation of cortical rhythms based on neural field theory, in which the activity of a cortical area is extensively monitored using a two-dimensional microelectrode array. The example of Parkinson's disease illustrates the proposed method, in which a neural field model is assumed to accurately describe experimentally recorded activity. In addition, we propose a new closed-loop stimulation signal that is both space- and time- dependent. This method is especially designed to specifically modulate a targeted brain rhythm, without interfering with other rhythms. A new class of neuroprosthetic devices is also proposed, in which the multielectrode array is seen as an artificial neural network interacting with biological tissue. Such a bio-inspired approach may provide a solution to optimize interactions between the stimulation device and the cortex aiming to attenuate or augment specific cortical rhythms. The next step will be to validate this new approach experimentally in patients with Parkinson's disease.

The authors reexamined, theoretically and empirically, the method proposed by J. J. Collins and C. D. De Luca (1993) for the analysis of center-of-pressure trajectories. The main argument in this article is that Collins and De Luca's approach is not adapted to the analysis of bounded time series and leads to statistical artifacts such as underestimation of the diffusion process for long-term intervals. The open- and closed-loop model developed by Collins and De Luca is a direct consequence of those statistical problems. Applying more classical methods, such as rescaled range analysis or detrended fluctuation analysis, the authors show that center-of-pressure trajectories can be modeled as continuous, antipersistent fractional Brownian motion. More specifically, those trajectories behave like 1/f noise, a ubiquitous feature in adaptive biological systems.

Studies have found that extremely low-frequency (ELF, < 300 Hz) magnetic fields (MF) can modulate standing balance; however, the acute balance effects of high flux densities in this frequency range have not been systematically investigated yet. This study explores acute human standing balance responses of 22 participants exposed to magnetic induction at 50 and 100 mTrms (MF), and to 1.5 mA alternating currents (AC). The center of pressure displacement (COP) was collected and analyzed to investigate postural modulation. The path length, the area, the velocity, the power spectrum in low (< 0.5 Hz) and medium (0.5–2 Hz) bands have computed and showed the expected effect of the positive control direct current (DC) electric stimulation but failed to show any significant effect of the time-varying stimulations (AC and MF). However, we showed a significant biased stabilization effect on postural data from the custom experimental apparatus employed in this work, which might have neutralized the hypothesized results.

Purpose Previously published literature has suggested an effect of extremely low-frequency (ELF) magnetic fields (MF) on human heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV). The combined response of the microcirculation and macrocirculation to ELF MF exposure has not previously been studied in humans. This study investigated the effects of 1-h exposure to an 1800-μT, 60-Hz MF on human microcirculation (represented in this study as skin blood perfusion), HR, low-frequency HRV, and high-frequency HRV. Methods Fifty-eight volunteers were recruited to partake in a double-blinded, counterbalanced study consisting of two testing sessions (real and sham) administered on separate days. Each session included four consecutive blocks of measurements, separated by 15-min rest periods, allowing measurement of cumulative and residual MF effects. Within subjects, ANOVA were conducted on each of the measured parameters. Results A decrease of skin blood perfusion and HR, and an increase of HRV were observed over blocks ( p  < 0.05). No session by block interactions were found for any of the cardiovascular parameters which would have suggested a MF effect ( p  > 0.05). A session by block interaction ( p  < 0.001) and a MF order effect (sham or real exposure first, p  < 0.05) were observed for skin surface temperature. Conclusions The MF used in this experiment did not affect cardiovascular parameters. Although an alternative explanation for why skin surface temperatures decreased in the sham and not in the real exposure condition is presented, the possibility of a MF effect cannot be excluded.