Pineal Function in Mammals and Birds is Altered by Earth-Strength Magnetic Fields

Semm, P.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4684-6799-4_4

Cited by 46 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…The effect of magnetic fields on calcium efflux is dependent on the strength of the magnetic field suggesting that in the presence of magnetic fields, membrane channels exhibit an ion-specific resonance mechanism which serves to control transmembrane ion flux. Additionally, magnetic fields alter the release of pineal melatonin (Semm, 1983(Semm, : 1992Wilson et al. 1981: Welker et al, 1983Reiter, 1992).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Treatment with ac pulsed electromagnetic fields normalizes the latency of the visual evoked response in a multiple sclerosis patient with optic atrophy

Sandyk

1998

International Journal of Neuroscience

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Visual evoked response (VER) studies have been utilized as supportive information for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and may be useful in objectively monitoring the effects of various therapeutic modalities. Delayed latency of the VER, which reflects slowed impulse transmission in the optic pathways, is the most characteristic abnormality associated with the disease. Brief transcranial applications of AC pulsed electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in the picotesla flux density are efficacious in the symptomatic treatment of MS and may also reestablish impulse transmission in the optic pathways. A 36 year old man developed an attack of right sided optic neuritis at the age of 30. On presentation he had blurring of vision with reduced acuity on the right and fundoscopic examination revealed pallor of the optic disc. A checkerboard pattern reversal VER showed a delayed latency to right eye stimulation (P100 = 132 ms; normal range: 95-115 ms). After he received two successive applications of AC pulsed EMFs of 7.5 picotesla flux density each of 20 minutes duration administered transcranially, there was a dramatic improvement in vision and the VER latency reverted to normal (P100= 107 ms). The rapid improvement in vision coupled with the normalization of the VER latency despite the presence of optic atrophy, which reflects chronic demyelination of the optic nerve, cannot be explained on the basis of partial or full reformation of myelin. It is proposed that in MS synaptic neurotransmitter deficiency is associated with the visual impairment and delayed VER latency following optic neuritis and that the recovery of the VER latency by treatment with pulsed EMFs is related to enhancement of synaptic neurotransmitter functions in the retina and central optic pathways. Recovery of the VER latency in MS patients may have important implications with respect to the treatment of visual impairment and prevention of visual loss. Specifically, repeated pulsed applications of EMFs may maintain impulse transmission in the optic nerve and thus potentially sustain its viability.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Treatment with ac pulsed electromagnetic fields normalizes the latency of the visual evoked response in a multiple sclerosis patient with optic atrophy

Sandyk

1998

International Journal of Neuroscience

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“…1983: Welker et al, 1983: Wilson et al, 1986Semm, 1992) which affects neurotransmitter functions ( Anton-Tay et al, 1968;Sugden, 1983;Erlich & Apuzzo. SANDYK have also been shown to affect the secretion of several hormones including pineal melatonin (Stoupel et al.…”

Section: I82mentioning

confidence: 99%

Treatment with Electromagnetic Fields Reverses the Long-Term Clinical Course of a Patient with Chronic Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

Sandyk

1997

International Journal of Neuroscience

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It is estimated that 10-20% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have a chronic progressive (CP) course characterized by an insidious onset of neurological deficits followed by steady progression of disability in the absence of symptomatic remission. To date no therapeutic modality has proven effective in reversing the clinical course of CP MS although there are indications that prolonged treatment with picotesla electromagnetic fields (EMFs) alters the clinical course of patients with CP MS. A 40 year-old woman presented in December of 1992 with CP MS with symptoms of spastic paraplegia, loss of trunk control, marked weakness of the upper limbs with loss of fine and gross motor hand functions, severe fatigue, cognitive deficits, mental depression, and autonomic dysfunction with neurogenic bladder and bowel incontinence. Her symptoms began at the age of 18 with weakness of the right leg and fatigue with long distance walking and over the ensuing years she experienced steady deterioration of functions. In 1985 she became wheelchair dependent and it was anticipated that within 1-2 years she would become functionally quadriplegic. In December of 1992 she began experimental treatment with EMFs. While receiving regularly weekly transcortical treatments with AC pulsed EMFs in the picotesla range intensity she experienced during the first year improvement in mental functions, return of strength in the upper extremities, and recovery of trunk control. During the second year she experienced the return of more hip functions and recovery of motor functions began in her legs. For the first time in years she can now initiate dorsiflexion of her ankles and actively extend her knees voluntarily. Over the past year she started to show signs of redevelopment of reciprocal gait. Presently, with enough function restored in her legs, she is learning to walk with a walker and is able to stand unassisted and maintain her balance for a few minutes. She also regained about 80% of functions in the upper limbs and hands. Most remarkably, there was no further progression of the disease during the 4 years course of magnetic therapy. This patient's clinical recovery cannot be explained on the basis of a spontaneous remission. It is suggested that pulsed applications of picotesla EMFs affect the neurobiological and immunological mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of CP MS.

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“…As a possible explanation for the rapid neurologic improvement as well as the normalization of the evoked potentials following treatment with MF I have proposed that the neurologic deficits of MS are related to synaptic dysfunction due to neurotransmitter deficiency (predominantly of 5-HT) and that neurologic recovery resulted from enhancement of neurotransmitter functions. As melatonin is a major modulator of 5-HT activity (Aldegunde et al, 1985;Rosencwaig et al, 1987) and since application of MF rapidly inhibits melatonin secretion (Welker et al, 1983;Semm, 1992), it is thought that a major effect of treatment with MF in MS was related to enhancement of 5-HT functions.…”

Section: Lead-demyelination As An Epiphenomenon In Multiple Sclerosismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Finally, external application of picoTesla range MF, which has been shown to rapidly inhibit melatonin secretion (Welker et al, 1983;Rudolph et al, 1988;Semm, 1992), was reported in a small number of patients to be beneficial in the symptomatic treatment of MS press u; b; Sandyk & Iacono, in press). Most remarkably, improvement in symptoms occurred shortly after termination of treatment which lasted from 10 to 20 minutes.…”

Section: Lead-demyelination As An Epiphenomenon In Multiple Sclerosismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This hypothesis is supported by several lines of evidence including: (1) the relationship between the prevalence of MS and geographical latitude, which may be related to the 'amount of environmental exposure to sunlight and to the geomagnetic field; (2) the high prevalence of mental depression including bipolar illness in MS patients which has been linked to diminished melatonin secretion; (3) the observed seasonally-dependent variations in the manifestations of the disease, which may be triggered by circadian and seasonal alterations in melatonin secretion; (4) the findings of a strikingly high prevalence of pineal calcification on CT scan in these patients, which may be related &o the secretory activity of the gland; ( 5 ) the findings of low nocturnal plasma melatonin levels in patients admitted with acute exacerbation of symptoms; (6) the immunomodulatory functions of the pineal gland; (7) the high incidence of cancer in families with affected MS, an association which may be linked to the participation of the pineal gland in tumor induction; (8) the high incidence of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus among MS patients, which again may be linked to the glucoregulatory functions of the pineal gland; (9) the observation that experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), a known animal model for MS, failed to develop in 100% of adult pinealectomized rats, in contrast to 50% of sham-pinealectomized rats; and (10) the beneficial effects of weak magnetic fields (MF), which affect the release of melatonin (Welker et al, 1983;Semm, 1992) in patients with MS (Sandyk, 1992 b;Sandyk & Derpapas, in press a;b). Since the publication of this Editorial, I have provided additional evidence in support of this hypothesis.…”

Section: Demyelination As An Epiphenomenon In Multiple Sclerosismentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Demyelination as An Epiphenomenon in Multiple Sclerosis

Sandyk¹

1993

International Journal of Neuroscience

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Pineal Function in Mammals and Birds is Altered by Earth-Strength Magnetic Fields

Cited by 46 publications

References 27 publications

Treatment with ac pulsed electromagnetic fields normalizes the latency of the visual evoked response in a multiple sclerosis patient with optic atrophy

Treatment with ac pulsed electromagnetic fields normalizes the latency of the visual evoked response in a multiple sclerosis patient with optic atrophy

Treatment with Electromagnetic Fields Reverses the Long-Term Clinical Course of a Patient with Chronic Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

Demyelination as An Epiphenomenon in Multiple Sclerosis

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