Abraham R. Liboff

Experimental Evidence for Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mediation of Membrane Transport

There is now a rich history to those experiments studying the stimulation of biological systems using extremely weak electrical and magnetic fields. In the following, we review this work, with particular emphasis on the experimental evidence in support of ion cyclotron resonance as the interaction mechanism underlying the observed effects. The number of compartmentalized groups studying electromagnetic effects in tissue is growing rapidly, and it is wise to limit the area we shall cover. Thus, we restrict ourselves solely to those observations involving time-varying fields, primarily in the ELF range. We will begin with a short review of ion cyclotron resonance.

Cyclotron Resonance in Cell Membranes: The Theory of the Mechanism

The search for mechanisms to explain electromagnetic (EM) field interactions with living systems was concentrated almost entirely in studies of electric fields in and the dielectric properties of the living systems prior to 1984. Magnetic fields had been studied as a prime mover, but primarily only high level magnetic fields such as one might find in the power generation industry or near superconducting magnetics had been considered. Any effects of very low level magnetic fields were assumed to be small enough to be ignored since living systems are primarily dielectric, not magnetic (from a material property viewpoint). The flaw in this reasoning is that a non-time varying (dc) magnetic field combined with a carefully chosen electric field can possibly alter the way in which a dielectric material responds to the electric field.

The Charge-to-Mass ICR Signature in Weak ELF Bioelectromagnetic Effects

There is good experimental evidence for a specific biological interaction with ELF magnetic fields that is functionally dependent on ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) frequencies as derived from ionic charge-to-mass ratios. This evidence is gleaned from studies on an extraordinarily wide variety of biological systems. However, no reasonable underlying theoretical construct has surfaced to explain these results at the microscopic level, and thus the nature of this q/m interaction remains empirical at best. The main difficulty with the various theoretical models that have been advanced is that sustaining ion cyclotron resonance in a biological milieu is highly improbable considering the relatively large damping suffered by ions. Further, in cases where the damping problem may be ameliorated, as for example, in the interior pore of ion channels, there is a large discrepancy between expected cyclotron resonance-mediated ion transit times and observed times, which are faster by a factor of 107. Some, notably Lednev, Blanchard, Binhi, and Zhadin, have attempted to explain the unique charge-to-mass signature using models that do not explicitly involve the classical ICR mechanism, but nevertheless still result in functional dependences on the ion cyclotron resonance frequency. Most recently, del Giudice has suggested replacing Maxwellian statistics when studying bioelectromagnetic interactions at the cellular level with quantum electro-dynamics, claiming that the experimental results support the view that highly ordered coherent domains are involved. Two additional sets of experimental results, both involving conductivity measurements in cell-free systems, have now been reported, first, the discovery by Zhadin that polar amino acids in solution are sensitive to ICR magnetic field exposures, and the second, by Mohri, that a 1 μT ICR magnetic signal applied to ultra-pure (18.2 MΩ-cm) water for as little as one minute will result in increased conductivity lasting for days. These findings may shed light on the persistent and controversial reports claiming that the physical properties of water can be altered by relatively weak magnetic field exposures.

Effects of magnetic fields on living systems

If one accepts the notion that essentially all chemical reactions or conformational changes in molecules are accompanied by the transfer or spatial rearrangement of electric charge, it is hardly surprising that electric fields are effective in changing the physiological or biochemical activity of a variety of organisms. One of the principal difficulties in the experimental or practical use of electric fields is the method of application. Except for capacitative coupling, which often involves the use of large and potentially dangerous potential differences to induce small internal fields, the use of electric fields involves the introduction of electrodes into the cell, tissue, or whatever. One is then confronted with the problems of faradaic effects, including corrosion and production of toxic substances, and of mechanical disruption or stimulation produced by the implants. We will now turn our attention to a non-invasive method of introducing energy into a living system — magnetic fields. As is known from basic physics, the use of a time-varying magnetic field in the vicinity of a conductor, or moving a conductor through a static magnetic field will induce electric currents of predictable amplitude and shape in the conductor. A review of any graduate level physics text on electricity and magnetism will familiarize the reader with the appropriate laws and formulae.

Should the premed requirements in physics be changed

Factors influencing the premedical requirement in physics are examined. A review is given of the various reasons why physics is important in medical education. The new Medical College Admissions Test is discussed. In looking at the rapid advances in technology in medicine, it is argued that the medical student is presently disadvantaged in physics, simply not having taken enough physics as an undergraduate. It is urged that an additional (applied) course, requiring introductory physics and calculus as prerequisites, be included among medical school entrance requirements.

Effects of Ion Resonance Tuned Magnetic Fields on N-18 Murine Neuroblastoma Cells

Numerous experiments by various laboratories have demonstrated that the effects of ELF magnetic fields on living systems may be dependent upon resonance effects. Bawin and Adey (1976) and Blackman, et. al. (1984) observed such responses for calcium efflux from chick brains. Dutta, et. al. (1984) saw similar effects in neuroblastoma cells. Liboff (1985) suggested that these effects might be due to cyclotron resonance effects on transmembrane movement of ions. Since then, the theory has been expanded and refined a number of times, and the interested reader is directed to one of the recent theoretical papers by Liboff and McLeod (e.g. 1988) for an analytical discussion. In sum, the theory states that transport will be affected if the combined ac and static magnetic fields satisfy the cyclotron resonance conditions for a particular ion as given by the formula: \(2\pi {{\rm{f}}_{\rm{c}}} = ({\rm{q}}/{\rm{m}})({\rm{B}})\), where; fc = fundamental resonance frequency in Hz q/m = charge (Coulombs) to mass (Kg) ratio of the ion B = static magnetic field (Tesla {1 T = 1 × 104 Gauss})

Baccalaureate program in medical physics

One category of applied physics presently of great interest is medical physics; in large measure this is due to the increasingly rapid transfer of physical concepts and techniques to the area of health care. The traditional entrance to the medical physics profession is at the master’s level. A four‐year baccalaureate applied physics program is described, which, among other things, provides preparation for specialized graduate study in this field. Increased material in chemistry and biology is required as well as work in radiological physics, the latter conducted partly in a hospital setting.