Effects of the static and ELF magnetic fields on the neuronal population activity in Morimus funereus (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) antennal lobe revealed by wavelet analysis

Abstract

To study the influence of a static magnetic field (SMF, 2mT) and extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF MF, 50Hz, 2mT) on the neuronal population activity, the experiments were performed on adult longhorn beetles Morimus funereus (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae). Based on a wavelet analysis of the local field potentials (LFPs), our study showed for the first time that the effects of prolonged and repeated exposure to the ELF MF on the LFPs were irreversible within investigated time frame. The relative wavelet energy (RWE) of 4–8Hz frequency band was significantly increased after sine ELF MF (SnMF)/square ELF MF (SqMF) in comparison to the control value. The RWE of slower oscillations (1–2Hz) was significantly decreased after the repeated exposures to either SnMF or SqMF. The SqMF induced decreasing of the faster waves in the range of 64–128Hz. However, we did not prove with presented methods that exposure to the SMF for 5min produces any effects on the neuronal population activity. This study has proved the wavelet transform as a valuable tool for measuring the effects of SMF and ELF MF on the neuronal population activity in M. funereus antennal lobe.