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Magnetic fields produced by steady currents in the body.

D Cohen, Y Palti, B N Cuffin

    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
    |March 1, 1980
    PubMed
    Summary

    Researchers measured body magnetic fields from steady currents using a new gradiometer. Distinct magnetic patterns were found over the head and limbs, linked to scalp hair follicles and muscle electrical activity, respectively.

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    Area of Science:

    • Biophysics
    • Biomagnetism
    • Neuroscience

    Background:

    • Naturally occurring steady electrical currents exist in the human body.
    • Measuring these subtle magnetic fields requires advanced instrumentation and shielding.
    • Understanding the sources of these currents can provide insights into physiological processes.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To measure magnetic fields generated by endogenous steady currents in the human body.
    • To identify the physiological sources of these magnetic fields.
    • To propose a general mechanism for the generation of biological steady currents.

    Main Methods:

    • Utilized a novel magnetic gradiometer within a magnetically shielded room.
    • Measured magnetic fields over the head, limbs, and torso.

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  • Conducted auxiliary experiments with electrolytes to elucidate current generation mechanisms.

    • Main Results:

    • Detected reproducible magnetic field patterns (0.1 micro G/cm) over the head and limbs, with weaker fields over the torso.
    • Identified scalp hair follicles as a primary source of head magnetic fields, responsive to touch.
    • Attributed limb magnetic fields primarily to electrical sources in muscles, inducible by mechanical stimulation.

    Conclusions:

    • Scalp hair follicles and muscle electrical activity are significant sources of measurable body magnetic fields.
    • A general mechanism for steady current generation involving nonuniform polarization across semipermeable membranes (e.g., muscle fibers) due to extracellular ion gradients (K+) is proposed.