Hypomagnetic Fields Extend Survival but Reduce Mobility in Fly Model of Parkinson’s Disease

BUFFALO, NY — October 22, 2026 — A new #research paper was #published in Volume 18 of Aging on September 23, 2026, titled “Hypomagnetic fields modulate lifespan, physical ability and mitochondrial metabolism in a Pink1 model of neurodegeneration.”
The study found that exposure to extremely weak magnetic fields increased survival in a fruit fly model of Parkinson’s disease while unexpectedly worsening movement ability. The researchers also identified changes in mitochondrial metabolism and free radical production, suggesting that magnetic field strength may influence aging-related biological processes differently depending on an organism’s genetic background.
The research was led by first author Jacob Reed and corresponding author Lisa Chakrabarti, both affiliated with the University of Nottingham.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with the loss of dopamine-producing neurons, impaired movement and mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondria generate much of the energy required for cellular function, and defects in their maintenance can contribute to oxidative stress and neuronal damage. Understanding how environmental conditions influence mitochondrial activity may therefore provide insights into neurodegeneration.
The researchers investigated hypomagnetic fields (HMFs), environments in which magnetic field strength is substantially lower than Earth's natural geomagnetic field. Earth's magnetic field typically ranges from 25 to 60 microtesla (μT), while hypomagnetic conditions are generally defined as fields below 5 μT. Although magnetic fields have been studied in relation to animal navigation and cellular metabolism, their influence on neurodegenerative disease remains poorly understood.
The study used Drosophila melanogaster, commonly known as the fruit fly, including a genetically modified strain lacking functional Pink1. This gene plays an important role in mitochondrial quality control through the PINK1/Parkin pathway, which helps identify and remove damaged mitochondria. Loss of Pink1 function produces several features resembling early-onset Parkinson’s disease, including impaired movement, mitochondrial dysfunction and reduced lifespan.
Full press release - https://www.aging-us.com/news-room/hypomagnetic-fields-extend-survival-but-reduce-mobility-in-a-fly-model-of-parkinsons-disease
DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206424
Corresponding author - Lisa Chakrabarti - lisa.chakrabarti@nottingham.ac.uk
Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em8W24_6wSI
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Keywords - aging, hypomagnetic field, diamond quantum sensing, mitochondria, drosophila melanogaster, Parkinson’s disease
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