Behavioral effects of static high magnetic fields on unrestrained and restrained mice

Physiol Behav. 2003 Apr;78(4-5):635-40. doi: 10.1016/s0031-9384(03)00040-4.

Abstract

High-strength static magnetic fields are common tools in clinical imaging, but the behavioral effects are not well characterized. Previous studies on rats showed that fields of 7 T or above produced locomotor circling, conditioned taste aversion (CTA) and c-Fos in vestibular nuclei. To determine the generality of the behavioral effects on a smaller species, we subjected restrained or unrestrained mice to 30-min exposures in a 14.1-T field. Mice were given saccharin immediately prior to magnet or sham exposure on 3 consecutive days. All mice exposed to the magnet developed a CTA, and a significant number displayed tight circling and suppression of rearing. Unrestrained mice exhibited larger effects than restrained mice. These effects, similar to the effects in rats, may be the result of a vestibular disturbance caused by the magnetic field.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / radiation effects*
  • Conditioning, Operant / physiology
  • Electromagnetic Fields*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Motor Activity / physiology
  • Restraint, Physical / psychology*
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology*
  • Taste / physiology
  • Taste / radiation effects