Effect of low-frequency magnetic fields on brain electrical activity in human subjects.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the response rate of normal human subjects to a low-strength, low-frequency magnetic field (MF), using nonlinear quantitative analysis of the electroencephalogram (EEG).


METHODS
Eight subjects were exposed to a series of trials, each consisting of the application of the MF (1 G, 60 Hz) for 2 s followed by a field-free period of 5 s, and the EEG was analyzed statistically using phase-space methods to assess whether the subject detected the MF.


RESULTS
Each subject exhibited statistically significant changes in the EEG during presentation of the MF, as evidenced by increases in percent determinism and percent recurrence, two different measures of deterministic structure in the recorded signal, thereby indicating that the MF had been detected.


CONCLUSIONS
The 100% response rate manifested by the study group suggested that the ability to detect low-strength, low-frequency MFs is a common property of the human nervous system.
Marino
Andrew A
AA
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, P.O. Box 33932, Shreveport, LA 71130-3932, USA. amarino@lsuhsc.edu
Nilsen
Erik
E
Chesson
Andrew L
AL
Frilot
Clifton
C
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values