TITLE: The effects of electromagnetic fields on the nervous system

Document ID: 19760023704 N (76N30792) File Series: NASA Technical Reports

Report Number: None

Sales Agency & Price: Univ. Microfilms Order No. 76-17430

Authors:

Chou, C. K. (Washington Univ.)

Published: Jan 01, 1975

Corporate Source:

Washington Univ. (Seattle, WA, United States)

Pages: 129

Contract Number: None

Abstract:

The effects of electromagnetic fields on isolated nerves, ganglia, and muscles were studied in vitro. An S band wave guide exposure system in conjunction with a temperature controlled unit were used to expose the nervous tissues or muscle at a constant temperature. Results showed no effect other than thermal on the characteristics of nerves and muscles exposed to 2450 MHz microwave fields at specific absorption rate of 0.3 - 1500 W/kg for CW and 0.3 - 220 kW/kg peak for pulsed fields. The mechanisms of the microwave auditory effect were also investigated. Experiments on low frequency noise masking showed that only the high frequency portion of the auditory system is involved in the effect. The 50 kHz cochlear microphonics in guinea pig induced by microwave and laser pulses, as well as bone-conducted acoustic stimuli provided by a piezoelectric crystal, indicated that the microwave auditory effect is accompanied by a mechanical disturbance of the hair cells of the cochlea. The disturbance is probably due to thermal expansion in the head.

Major Subject Terms:

ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS MUSCLES NERVOUS SYSTEM RADIOBIOLOGY

Minor Subject Terms:

EAR ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSES GUINEA PIGS LASERS MICROWAVES THERMAL EXPANSION

Language Note: English

(Original link)