Magnetic fields produced by steady currents in the body.

Abstract

The magnetic fields produced by naturally occurring steady currents in the body were measured by using a new magnetic gradiometer in a magnetically shielded room. A field of 0.1 micro G/cm with reproducible pattern was seen over the head and over the limbs, whereas the field over the torso proper was weaker (except over the abdomen). Most of the field over the head is produced by electrical sources associated with the hair follicles of the scalp; this field is produced only as a response to touching or pressing the scalp, in regions where the hair is dense. Most of the field over the limbs is produced by electrical sources associated with the muscles. The field over the forearm, studied in detail, was often present spontaneously; when absent, it could be induced by mild twisting and rubbing. On the basis of auxiliary experiments involving electrolytes, a general mechanism for generation of steady current in the body is suggested. In this mechanism, the steady current is generated by a nonclosed or a nonuniform polarized layer across an elongated semipermeable membrane such as a muscle fiber; the nonuniform polarization is due to a gradient of extracellular K+ along the membrane.