NASA
4-year collaborative study on the efficacy of electromagnetic
fields to stimulate growth and repair in mammalian tissues
NASA/TP-2003-212054*
CHIEF
INVESTIGATORS:
Robert Dennis Ph.D. - University of Michigan
Thomas J Goodwin Ph.D. Lynden B Johnson Space Center
PURPOSE:
This four year study used human donors "to define
the most effective electromagnetic fields for enhancing
growth and repair in mammalian tissues."
To
utilize "nerve tissue which has been refractory
to efforts to stimulate growth or enhance its repair
regardless of the energy used." (all other tissues
have demonstrated growth and repair stimulation with
appropriate PEMF)
To
define a PEMF technology that would "duplicate
mature, three dimensional morphology between neuronal
cells and feeder (glial) cells, which has not been previously
accomplished."
RESULTS:
The PEMF used in the study "caused accelerated
growth rate and better organized morphology over controls",
and resulted in "greater cell viability" (85%
vs. 65%).
In
the gene discovery array (chip technology that surveyed
10,000 human genes), the investigators found up-regulation
of 150 genes associated with growth and cell restoration.
T. Goodwin (personal communication) " PEMF shut
down each dysregulatory gene we studied".
NASAs
CONCLUSION:
"The up-regulation of these genes is in no manner
marginal (1.7-8.4 logs) with gene sites for collagen
production and growth the most actively stimulated."
"We
have clearly demonstrated the bioelectric/biochemical
potentiation of nerve stimulation and restoration in
humans as a documented reality".
"The
most effective electromagnetic field for repair of trauma
was square wave with a rapid rate of change (dB/dt)
which saw cell growth increased up to 4.0 times."
They
further noted that "slowly varying (millisecond
pulse, sine wave) or non varying DC (CW lasers, magnets)
had little to no effect."
Final
Recommendation: "One may use square wave EM fields
with rapid rate of change for":
repairing
traumatized tissues
moderating some neurodegenerative diseases
developing tissues for transplantation
*the first study to clarify technologies and efficacy
parameters for tissue growth and restoration
