Application of the ferromagnetic transduction model to DC and pulsed magnetic fields: Effects on epileptogenic tissue and implications for cellular phone safety

The ferromagnetic transduction model proposed by J. L. Kirschvink (Phys. Rev. A (1992) 46, 2178-2184) suggests that the coupling of biogenic magnetite particles in the human brain to mechanosensitive membrane ion gates may provide a mechanism for interactions of environmental magnetic fields with humans. Extremely low frequency alternating magnetic fields primarily were considered, and in the model A.C. fields with frequencies below 10 Hz should have minimal effect. We show that pulsed fields, square waves, and D.C. fields also could force open the membrane gates long enough to disrupt normal neurophysiological processes. The model may therefore be extended to explain results obtained in studies of epileptic patients which show effects on the central nervous system from low frequency square wave and D.C. magnetic fields. In addition, the model also may provide a plausible mechanism linking exposure to magnetic fields from discontinuous transmission cellular telephones and disruption of normal cellular processes in the human brain. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.