Magnetic field effects on spatial discrimination learning in mice.
A magnetic sense has been demonstrated in several species, including mice. It has been suggested that the basis of this sense, and its role in navigation, rests on the existence of ferromagnetic materials in the brain. Several researchers have shown changes in navigation during exposure to relatively weak magnetic fields, which presumably interact with magnetite in the brain. In this study, mice were exposed to the powerful magnetic field of an MRI scanner and their left-right discrimination learning was compared with a control group. Results indicate a significant decrement in such learning ability immediately after exposure. Suggestions for future research are presented.
Levine
R L
RL
John F. Kennedy High School, Science Department, Bellmore, NY 11710.
Bluni
T D
TD
D000818:Animals; D004193:Discrimination Learning; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011939:Mental Recall; D009115:Muridae; D009949:Orientation; D013028:Space Perception