Studies on magnetism and bioelectromagnetics for 45 years: From magnetic analog memory to human brain stimulation and imaging

Abstract

Forty-five years of studies on magnetism and bioelectromagnetics, in our laboratory, are presented. This article is prepared for the d'Arsonval Award Lecture. After a short introduction of our early work on magnetic analog memory, we review and discuss the following topics: (1) Magnetic nerve stimulation and localized transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the human brain by figure-eight coils; (2) Measurements of weak magnetic fields generated from the brain by superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) systems, called magnetoencephalography (MEG), and its application in functional brain studies; (3) New methods of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the imaging of impedance of the brain, called impedance MRI, and the imaging of neuronal current activities in the brain, called current MRI; (4) Cancer therapy and other medical treatments by pulsed magnetic fields; (5) Effects of static magnetic fields and magnetic control of cell orientation and cell growth; and (6) Effects of radio frequency magnetic fields and control of iron ion release and uptake from and into ferritins, iron cage proteins. These bioelectromagnetic studies have opened new horizons in magnetism and medicine, in particular for brain research and treatment of ailments such as depression, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's diseases.

Contactless magneto-permeabilization for intracellular plasmid DNA delivery in-vivo

“…Transcranial magnetic stimulation has been already approved for applications such as treating depression and used for stimulating cortical motor centers. 23 The implication of our results is that brain tissue permeabilization may be achieved in a completely noninvasive contactless manner.…”

Would the Human Brain Be Able to Erect Specific Effects Due to the Magnetic Field Component of an Uhf Field via Magnetite Nanoparticles?

“…The experiment resulted in some of the EEG rhythms being significantly altered in response to the frequency modulation of the UHF signal, while the experiment only considered the incident E-field strength (with a power density of 0.16 mW/cm 2 ), neither measuring nor considering the H-field component. It is noteworthy that the authors reported that the EEG changes "were more obvious at the beginning of the exposure segments" -a conclusion shared with the unrelated study of the H-field's impact on ferritins and their functioning [7]. Hinrikus' group followed up with experiments using two field levels, quantified by determining the SAR based on E-field strength, applying SAR E1 = 0.303 W/kg and SAR E2 = 0.003 W/kg to the brain of human volunteers [19].…”

“…Therefore, the existence of significant amounts of magnetite nanocrystals located in human brain tissue needs to be carefully investigated as a potential health risk factor, taking into account both potential thermal and non-thermal effects, particularly since magnetite nanocrystals' interaction with the neurosensory system (via breaking of biochemical bonds) could not be excluded [6,7]. Furthermore, direct cellular effects have also been reported, both in the presence and in the lack of a perceptible macroscopic temperature rise [8].…”

“…This is likely the first report of 1 MHz low strength field acting non-thermally at the molecular level, and modifying processes in which ferromagnetic nanoparticles were involved. A later study [7] concluded that it was necessary that this effect was taken into consideration when assessing the biological effects of environmental RF fields.…”

Potential Impact of Space Environments on Developmental and Maturational Programs Which Evolved to Meet the Boundary Conditions of Earth: Will Maturing Humans Be Able to Establish a Functional Biologic System Set Point under Non-Earth Conditions?

“…The geomagnetic field is perhaps critical to the functioning of the neural system which is electrical in nature, and as such the higher order functioning of the brain likely relies in part on biomagnetic influences and must function in the context of the background geomagnetic field and its variations. Such biomagnetic patterns can be detected by SQUID technologies [1,2], and they must have evolved to accommodate the background geomagnetic field and its fluctuations (e.g. as evidenced by variations at different locations on earth and the movement (i.e.…”