1
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VoPham T, Ton M, Weaver MD. Spatiotemporal light exposure modeling for environmental circadian misalignment and solar jetlag. Environ Epidemiol 2024; 8:e301. [PMID: 38617425 PMCID: PMC11008630 DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Light exposure is the most powerful resetting signal for circadian rhythms. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a high-resolution geospatial light exposure model that measures environmental circadian misalignment (or solar jetlag) as the mismatch between the social clock and sun clock, which occurs from geographic variation in light exposure leading to delayed circadian phase from relatively less morning light exposure and greater evening light exposure with increasing westward position within a time zone. Methods The light exposure model (30 m2 spatial resolution) incorporated geospatial data across the United States on time zones, elevation (using Google Earth Engine), sunrise time, and sunset time to estimate solar jetlag scores (higher values indicate higher environmental circadian misalignment). The validation study compared the light exposure model in 2022, which was linked with geocoded residential addresses of n = 20 participants in Boston, MA (eastern time zone position) and Seattle, WA (western time zone position) using a geographic information system, with illuminance values captured from wearable LYS light sensors and with sun times from the Solar Calculator. Results Western versus eastern positions within a time zone were associated with higher solar jetlag scores from the light exposure model (P < 0.01) and relatively larger differences in sunset time measured using light sensors (social clock) and the Solar Calculator (sun clock) (P = 0.04). Conclusion We developed and validated a geospatial light exposure model, enabling high spatiotemporal resolution and comprehensive characterization of geographic variation in light exposure potentially impacting circadian phase in epidemiologic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trang VoPham
- Epidemiology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Mimi Ton
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Cancer Prevention Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Matthew D. Weaver
- Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Departments of Medicine and Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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2
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Blume C, Cajochen C, Schöllhorn I, Slawik HC, Spitschan M. Effects of calibrated blue-yellow changes in light on the human circadian clock. Nat Hum Behav 2024; 8:590-605. [PMID: 38135734 PMCID: PMC10963261 DOI: 10.1038/s41562-023-01791-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Evening exposure to short-wavelength light can affect the circadian clock, sleep and alertness. Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells expressing melanopsin are thought to be the primary drivers of these effects. Whether colour-sensitive cones also contribute is unclear. Here, using calibrated silent-substitution changes in light colour along the blue-yellow axis, we investigated whether mechanisms of colour vision affect the human circadian system and sleep. In a 32.5-h repeated within-subjects protocol, 16 healthy participants were exposed to three different light scenarios for 1 h starting 30 min after habitual bedtime: baseline control condition (93.5 photopic lux), intermittently flickering (1 Hz, 30 s on-off) yellow-bright light (123.5 photopic lux) and intermittently flickering blue-dim light (67.0 photopic lux), all calibrated to have equal melanopsin excitation. We did not find conclusive evidence for differences between the three lighting conditions regarding circadian melatonin phase delays, melatonin suppression, subjective sleepiness, psychomotor vigilance or sleep.The Stage 1 protocol for this Registered Report was accepted in principle on 9 September 2020. The protocol, as accepted by the journal, can be found at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.13050215.v1 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Blume
- Centre for Chronobiology, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
- Research Cluster Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Christian Cajochen
- Centre for Chronobiology, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Research Cluster Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Isabel Schöllhorn
- Centre for Chronobiology, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Research Cluster Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Helen C Slawik
- Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Spitschan
- Translational Sensory and Circadian Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany.
- TUM Department Health and Sport Sciences, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
- TUM Institute for Advanced Study (TUM-IAS), Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany.
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3
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Matynia A, Recio BS, Myers Z, Parikh S, Goit RK, Brecha NC, Pérez de Sevilla Müller L. Preservation of Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells (ipRGCs) in Late Adult Mice: Implications as a Potential Biomarker for Early Onset Ocular Degenerative Diseases. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:28. [PMID: 38224335 PMCID: PMC10793389 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.1.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) play a crucial role in non-image-forming visual functions. Given their significant loss observed in various ocular degenerative diseases at early stages, this study aimed to assess changes in both the morphology and associated behavioral functions of ipRGCs in mice between 6 (mature) and 12 (late adult) months old. The findings contribute to understanding the preservation of ipRGCs in late adults and their potential as a biomarker for early ocular degenerative diseases. Methods Female and male C57BL/6J mice were used to assess the behavioral consequences of aging to mature and old adults, including pupillary light reflex, light aversion, visual acuity, and contrast sensitivity. Immunohistochemistry on retinal wholemounts from these mice was then conducted to evaluate ipRGC dendritic morphology in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) and inner nuclear layer (INL). Results Morphological analysis showed that ipRGC dendritic field complexity was remarkably stable through 12 months old of age. Similarly, the pupillary light reflex, visual acuity, and contrast sensitivity were stable in mature and old adults. Although alterations were observed in ipRGC-independent light aversion distinct from the pupillary light reflex, aged wild-type mice continuously showed enhanced light aversion with dilation. No effect of sex was observed in any tests. Conclusions The preservation of both ipRGC morphology and function highlights the potential of ipRGC-mediated function as a valuable biomarker for ocular diseases characterized by early ipRGC loss. The consistent stability of ipRGCs in mature and old adult mice suggests that detected changes in ipRGC-mediated functions could serve as early indicators or diagnostic tools for early-onset conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and diabetes, where ipRGC loss has been documented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Matynia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Brandy S. Recio
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Zachary Myers
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Sachin Parikh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Rajesh Kumar Goit
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Nicholas C. Brecha
- Department of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Luis Pérez de Sevilla Müller
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States
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4
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Tamayo E, Mouland JW, Lucas RJ, Brown TM. Regulation of mouse exploratory behaviour by irradiance and cone-opponent signals. BMC Biol 2023; 21:178. [PMID: 37605163 PMCID: PMC10441731 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01663-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Animal survival depends on the ability to adjust behaviour according to environmental conditions. The circadian system plays a key role in this capability, with diel changes in the quantity (irradiance) and spectral content ('colour') of ambient illumination providing signals of time-of-day that regulate the timing of rest and activity. Light also exerts much more immediate effects on behaviour, however, that are equally important in shaping daily activity patterns. Hence, nocturnal mammals will actively avoid light and dramatically reduce their activity when light cannot be avoided. The sensory mechanisms underlying these acute effects of light are incompletely understood, particularly the importance of colour. RESULTS To define sensory mechanisms controlling mouse behaviour, we used photoreceptor-isolating stimuli and mice with altered cone spectral sensitivity (Opn1mwR), lacking melanopsin (Opn1mwR; Opn4-/-) or cone phototransduction (Cnga3-/-) in assays of light-avoidance and activity suppression. In addition to roles for melanopsin-dependent irradiance signals, we find a major influence of spectral content in both cases. Hence, remarkably, selective increases in S-cone irradiance (producing a blue-shift in spectrum replicating twilight) drive light-seeking behaviour and promote activity. These effects are opposed by signals from longer-wavelength sensitive cones, indicating a true spectrally-opponent mechanism. Using c-Fos-mapping and multielectrode electrophysiology, we further show these effects are associated with a selective cone-opponent modulation of neural activity in the key brain site implicated in acute effects of light on behaviour, the subparaventricular zone. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, these data reveal a mechanism whereby blue-shifts in the spectrum of environmental illumination, such as during twilight, promote mouse exploratory behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Tamayo
- Centre for Biological Timing, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - J W Mouland
- Centre for Biological Timing, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - R J Lucas
- Centre for Biological Timing, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - T M Brown
- Centre for Biological Timing, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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5
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Sartor F, Xu X, Popp T, Dodd AN, Kovács ÁT, Merrow M. The circadian clock of the bacterium B. subtilis evokes properties of complex, multicellular circadian systems. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadh1308. [PMID: 37540742 PMCID: PMC10403212 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh1308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Circadian clocks are pervasive throughout nature, yet only recently has this adaptive regulatory program been described in nonphotosynthetic bacteria. Here, we describe an inherent complexity in the Bacillus subtilis circadian clock. We find that B. subtilis entrains to blue and red light and that circadian entrainment is separable from masking through fluence titration and frequency demultiplication protocols. We identify circadian rhythmicity in constant light, consistent with the Aschoff's rule, and entrainment aftereffects, both of which are properties described for eukaryotic circadian clocks. We report that circadian rhythms occur in wild isolates of this prokaryote, thus establishing them as a general property of this species, and that its circadian system responds to the environment in a complex fashion that is consistent with multicellular eukaryotic circadian systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Sartor
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Xinming Xu
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, DTU Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Tanja Popp
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Antony N. Dodd
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Ákos T. Kovács
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, DTU Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Martha Merrow
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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6
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Wang Y, Belušič G, Pen I, Beukeboom LW, Wertheim B, Stavenga DG, Hut RA. Circadian rhythm entrainment of the jewel wasp, Nasonia vitripennis, by antagonistic interactions of multiple spectral inputs. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20222319. [PMID: 36750184 PMCID: PMC9904953 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.2319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Circadian light entrainment in some insects is regulated by blue-light-sensitive cryptochrome (CRY) protein that is expressed in the clock neurons, but this is not the case in hymenopterans. The hymenopteran clock does contain CRY, but it appears to be light-insensitive. Therefore, we investigated the role of retinal photoreceptors in the photic entrainment of the jewel wasp Nasonia vitripennis. Application of monochromatic light stimuli at different light intensities caused phase shifts in the wasp's circadian activity from which an action spectrum with three distinct peaks was derived. Electrophysiological recordings from the compound eyes and ocelli revealed the presence of three photoreceptor classes, with peak sensitivities at 340 nm (ultraviolet), 450 nm (blue) and 530 nm (green). An additional photoreceptor class in the ocelli with sensitivity maximum at 560-580 nm (red) was found. Whereas a simple sum of photoreceptor spectral sensitivities could not explain the action spectrum of the circadian phase shifts, modelling of the action spectrum indicates antagonistic interactions between pairs of spectral photoreceptors, residing in the compound eyes and the ocelli. Our findings imply that the photic entrainment mechanism in N. vitripennis encompasses the neural pathways for measuring the absolute luminance as well as the circuits mediating colour opponency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Wang
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9712 CP Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Gregor Belušič
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ido Pen
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9712 CP Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Leo W. Beukeboom
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9712 CP Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Bregje Wertheim
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9712 CP Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Doekele G. Stavenga
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9712 CP Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Roelof A. Hut
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9712 CP Groningen, the Netherlands
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7
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Preferences of Dairy Cattle for Supplemental Light-Emitting Diode Lighting in the Resting Area. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12151894. [PMID: 35892544 PMCID: PMC9331357 DOI: 10.3390/ani12151894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Light from the environment is important for vision and regulating various biological processes. Providing supplemental lighting in the stall area could allow for individually targeted or group-level control of light. This study aimed to determine whether dairy cattle had preferences for short-term exposure to white (full-spectrum) light-emitting diode (LED) light or no LED light, yellow-green or white LED light, and blue or white LED light in the stall area. In total, 14 lactating cows were housed in a free-stall pen with unrestricted access to 28 stalls. LED light was controlled separately for each side of the stall platform. Two combinations of light were tested per week, and each week consisted of three adaptation days and four treatment days. Lying behaviour and video data were recorded continuously using leg-mounted pedometers and cameras, respectively. Preference was assessed by the amount of time spent lying and the number of bouts under each light treatment. No differences occurred between treatments within each week for daily lying time and number of bouts. Similarly, no differences occurred between treatments within each time period. Further controlled studies of long-term exposure to different LED wavelengths and intensities are required to determine potential benefits on metabolic processes.
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8
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Dani C, Sheeba V. Drosophila Populations Reared Under Tropical Semi-natural Conditions Evolve Season-dependent Differences in Timing of Eclosion. Front Physiol 2022; 13:954731. [PMID: 35910567 PMCID: PMC9334559 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.954731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Circadian clocks are considered an evolutionary adaptation to environmental cycles, helping organisms to adapt to daily and seasonal changes. However, most studies on the evolution of circadian rhythms have been carried out in controlled laboratory conditions; hence evolution of circadian clocks and rhythms in organisms reared under the influence of naturally varying time cues is not well understood. To address this, we reared large outbred fly populations in an outdoor enclosure on our institutional grounds in Bengaluru, southern India for about 150 generations, at the same time maintaining their ancestral control populations under standard laboratory conditions. Studying their rhythms in eclosion, a vital behavior for Drosophila, in the laboratory and semi-natural environments revealed that flies reared under semi-natural conditions differed in the timing of eclosion under semi-natural conditions in a season-dependent manner from their laboratory-reared counterparts. These differences were manifested under harsh semi-natural environments but not under mild ones or in standard laboratory conditions. Further analysis revealed that this phenotype might be responsive to seasonal changes in temperature cycles which was confirmed in the laboratory with simulated light and temperature cycles that approximated semi-natural conditions. Our results highlight key intricacies on the relative impact of intensity and timing of environmental cues for predicting the timing of Drosophila eclosion under tropical naturalistic conditions. Overall, our research uncovers previously unexplored aspects of adaptive circadian timekeeping in complex natural conditions, offering valuable insight into the evolution of clocks.
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9
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Beyond irradiance: Visual signals influencing mammalian circadian function. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2022; 273:145-169. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2022.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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10
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Zilli Vieira CL, Link MS, Garshick E, Peralta AA, Luttmann-Gibson H, Laden F, Liu M, Gold DR, Koutrakis P. Solar and geomagnetic activity enhance the effects of air pollutants on atrial fibrillation. Europace 2021; 24:713-720. [PMID: 34791174 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euab269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Cardiac arrhythmias have been associated with intense solar and geomagnetic activity (SGA) and exposures to air pollution. METHODS We examined whether oscillations of SGA can modify the effect of hourly exposures to air pollutants on atrial fibrillation ≥30 s (AF) risk in patients with dual-chamber implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. The effects of SGA on ambient particulate matter <2.5 µm (PM2.5), black carbon (BC), ultrafine particles (PN), and associations with AF were assessed. Measures of SGA included solar wind proton density (SW), total interplanetary magnetic field strength (IMF), and Kp index, a measure of global geomagnetic activity. RESULTS Overall time lags between 0 and 24 h, periods of increased SGA (>50th percentile in IMF, SW, and Kp index) enhanced the effects of all three air pollutants on AF, while during periods of reduced SGA the associations were considerably weaker or absent. During periods of intense SW 6 h prior to an AF event, the odds ratio (OR) for PM2.5 exposure per interquartile range (IQR) of 5.6 µg/m3 was 1.7 [95% confident interval (CI) 1.3-2.3, P = 0.0001]. For periods of reduced SW, the OR for PM2.5 exposure per IQR was 1.2 (95% CI 0.9-1.5; P = 0.27). There were similar effects for PN and BC exposures. In patients with multiple AF events per hour, the associations with air pollutants during intense SGA were even greater. CONCLUSION The effects of air pollutants up to 24 h before AF events were enhanced during periods of increased SGA. Our results suggest that these effects may account for variation in AF risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina L Zilli Vieira
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Mark S Link
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines BLVD, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Eric Garshick
- Pulmonary, Allergy, Sleep and Critical Care Medicine Section, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150S Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02130, USA.,Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Adjani A Peralta
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Heike Luttmann-Gibson
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Francine Laden
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.,Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Man Liu
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Diane R Gold
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.,Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Petros Koutrakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
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11
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Patterson SS, Neitz M, Neitz J. S-cone circuits in the primate retina for non-image-forming vision. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 126:66-70. [PMID: 33994300 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) respond directly to light by virtue of containing melanopsin which peaks at about 483 nm. However, in primates, ipRGCs also receive color opponent inputs from short-wavelength-sensitive (S) cone circuits that are well-suited to encode circadian changes in the color of the sky that accompany the rising and setting sun. Here, we review the retinal circuits that endow primate ipRGCs with the cone-opponency capable of encoding the color of the sky and contributing to the wide-ranging effects of short-wavelength light on ipRGC-mediated non-image-forming visual function in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara S Patterson
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14607, USA
| | - Maureen Neitz
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Jay Neitz
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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12
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Wong KY, Fernandez FX. Circadian Responses to Light-Flash Exposure: Conceptualization and New Data Guiding Future Directions. Front Neurol 2021; 12:627550. [PMID: 33643205 PMCID: PMC7905211 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.627550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A growing number of studies document circadian phase-shifting after exposure to millisecond light flashes. When strung together by intervening periods of darkness, these stimuli evoke pacemaker responses rivaling or outmatching those created by steady luminance, suggesting that the circadian system's relationship to light can be contextualized outside the principle of simple dose-dependence. In the current review, we present a brief chronology of this work. We then develop a conceptual model around it that attempts to relate the circadian effects of flashes to a natural integrative process the pacemaker uses to intermittently sample the photic information available at dawn and dusk. Presumably, these snapshots are employed as building blocks in the construction of a coherent representation of twilight the pacemaker consults to orient the next day's physiology (in that way, flash-resetting of pacemaker rhythms might be less an example of a circadian visual illusion and more an example of the kinds of gestalt inferences that the image-forming system routinely makes when identifying objects within the visual field; i.e., closure). We conclude our review with a discussion on the role of cones in the pacemaker's twilight predictions, providing new electrophysiological data suggesting that classical photoreceptors—but not melanopsin—are necessary for millisecond, intermediate-intensity flash responses in ipRGCs (intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells). Future investigations are necessary to confirm this “Cone Sentinel Model” of circadian flash-integration and twilight-prediction, and to further define the contribution of cones vs. rods in transducing pacemaker flash signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwoon Y Wong
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Fabian-Xosé Fernandez
- Department of Psychology, BIO5 Research Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Department of Neurology, McKnight Brain Research Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
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13
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van Hasselt SJ, Hut RA, Allocca G, Vyssotski AL, Piersma T, Rattenborg NC, Meerlo P. Cloud cover amplifies the sleep-suppressing effect of artificial light at night in geese. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 273:116444. [PMID: 33453700 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In modern society the night sky is lit up not only by the moon but also by artificial light devices. Both of these light sources can have a major impact on wildlife physiology and behaviour. For example, a number of bird species were found to sleep several hours less under full moon compared to new moon and a similar sleep-suppressing effect has been reported for artificial light at night (ALAN). Cloud cover at night can modulate the light levels perceived by wildlife, yet, in opposite directions for ALAN and moon. While clouds will block moon light, it may reflect and amplify ALAN levels and increases the night glow in urbanized areas. As a consequence, cloud cover may also modulate the sleep-suppressing effects of moon and ALAN in different directions. In this study we therefore measured sleep in barnacle geese (Branta leucopsis) under semi-natural conditions in relation to moon phase, ALAN and cloud cover. Our analysis shows that, during new moon nights stronger cloud cover was indeed associated with increased ALAN levels at our study site. In contrast, light levels during full moon nights were fairly constant, presumably because of moonlight on clear nights or because of reflected artificial light on cloudy nights. Importantly, cloud cover caused an estimated 24.8% reduction in the amount of night-time NREM sleep from nights with medium to full cloud cover, particularly during new moon when sleep was unaffected by moon light. In conclusion, our findings suggest that cloud cover can, in a rather dramatic way, amplify the immediate effects of ALAN on wildlife. Sleep appears to be highly sensitive to ALAN and may therefore be a good indicator of its biological effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sjoerd J van Hasselt
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Roelof A Hut
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Giancarlo Allocca
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Somnivore Pty. Ltd., Bacchus Marsh, VIC, Australia
| | - Alexei L Vyssotski
- Institute of Neuroinformatics, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Theunis Piersma
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Den Burg, Texel, the Netherlands
| | - Niels C Rattenborg
- Avian Sleep Group, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Peter Meerlo
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
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14
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Mouland JW, Martial F, Watson A, Lucas RJ, Brown TM. Cones Support Alignment to an Inconsistent World by Suppressing Mouse Circadian Responses to the Blue Colors Associated with Twilight. Curr Biol 2020; 29:4260-4267.e4. [PMID: 31846668 PMCID: PMC6926481 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
In humans, short-wavelength light evokes larger circadian responses than longer wavelengths [1-3]. This reflects the fact that melanopsin, a key contributor to circadian assessments of light intensity, most efficiently captures photons around 480 nm [4-8] and gives rise to the popular view that "blue" light exerts the strongest effects on the clock. However, in the natural world, there is often no direct correlation between perceived color (as reported by the cone-based visual system) and melanopsin excitation. Accordingly, although the mammalian clock does receive cone-based chromatic signals [9], the influence of color on circadian responses to light remains unclear. Here, we define the nature and functional significance of chromatic influences on the mouse circadian system. Using polychromatic lighting and mice with altered cone spectral sensitivity (Opn1mwR), we generate conditions that differ in color (i.e., ratio of L- to S-cone opsin activation) while providing identical melanopsin and rod activation. When biased toward S-opsin activation (appearing "blue"), these stimuli reliably produce weaker circadian behavioral responses than those favoring L-opsin ("yellow"). This influence of color (which is absent in animals lacking cone phototransduction; Cnga3-/-) aligns with natural changes in spectral composition over twilight, where decreasing solar angle is accompanied by a strong blue shift [9-11]. Accordingly, we find that naturalistic color changes support circadian alignment when environmental conditions render diurnal variations in light intensity weak/ambiguous sources of timing information. Our data thus establish how color contributes to circadian entrainment in mammals and provide important new insight to inform the design of lighting environments that benefit health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua W Mouland
- Centre for Biological Timing, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Franck Martial
- Centre for Biological Timing, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Alex Watson
- Centre for Biological Timing, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Robert J Lucas
- Centre for Biological Timing, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Timothy M Brown
- Centre for Biological Timing, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.
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15
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Münch M, Wirz-Justice A, Brown SA, Kantermann T, Martiny K, Stefani O, Vetter C, Wright KP, Wulff K, Skene DJ. The Role of Daylight for Humans: Gaps in Current Knowledge. Clocks Sleep 2020; 2:61-85. [PMID: 33089192 PMCID: PMC7445840 DOI: 10.3390/clockssleep2010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Daylight stems solely from direct, scattered and reflected sunlight, and undergoes dynamic changes in irradiance and spectral power composition due to latitude, time of day, time of year and the nature of the physical environment (reflections, buildings and vegetation). Humans and their ancestors evolved under these natural day/night cycles over millions of years. Electric light, a relatively recent invention, interacts and competes with the natural light-dark cycle to impact human biology. What are the consequences of living in industrialised urban areas with much less daylight and more use of electric light, throughout the day (and at night), on general health and quality of life? In this workshop report, we have classified key gaps of knowledge in daylight research into three main groups: (I) uncertainty as to daylight quantity and quality needed for "optimal" physiological and psychological functioning, (II) lack of consensus on practical measurement and assessment methods and tools for monitoring real (day) light exposure across multiple time scales, and (III) insufficient integration and exchange of daylight knowledge bases from different disciplines. Crucial short and long-term objectives to fill these gaps are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjam Münch
- Sleep/Wake Research Centre, Massey University Wellington, Wellington 6021, New Zealand
| | - Anna Wirz-Justice
- Centre for Chronobiology, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, 4002 Basel, Switzerland; (A.W.-J.); (O.S.)
- Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences (MCN), University of Basel, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Steven A. Brown
- Chronobiology and Sleep Research Group, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland;
| | - Thomas Kantermann
- Faculty for Health and Social Affairs, University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Management (FOM), 45141 Essen, Germany;
- SynOpus, 44789 Bochum, Germany
| | - Klaus Martiny
- Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, University of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Oliver Stefani
- Centre for Chronobiology, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, 4002 Basel, Switzerland; (A.W.-J.); (O.S.)
- Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences (MCN), University of Basel, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Céline Vetter
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA; (C.V.); (K.P.W.J.)
| | - Kenneth P. Wright
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA; (C.V.); (K.P.W.J.)
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Katharina Wulff
- Departments of Radiation Sciences and Molecular Biology, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden;
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine (WCMM), Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Debra J. Skene
- Chronobiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK;
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16
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Patterson SS, Kuchenbecker JA, Anderson JR, Neitz M, Neitz J. A Color Vision Circuit for Non-Image-Forming Vision in the Primate Retina. Curr Biol 2020; 30:1269-1274.e2. [PMID: 32084404 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.01.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Melanopsin-expressing, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) synchronize our biological clocks with the external light/dark cycle [1]. In addition to photoentrainment, they mediate the effects of light experience as a central modulator of mood, learning, and health [2]. This makes a complete account of the circuity responsible for ipRGCs' light responses essential to understanding their diverse roles in our well-being. Considerable progress has been made in understanding ipRGCs' melanopsin-mediated responses in rodents [3-5]. However, in primates, ipRGCs also have a rare blue-OFF response mediated by an unknown short-wavelength-sensitive (S)-cone circuit [6]. Identifying this S-cone circuit is particularly important because ipRGCs mediate many of the wide-ranging effects of short-wavelength light on human biology. These effects are often attributed to melanopsin, but there is evidence for an S-cone contribution as well [7, 8]. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the S-OFF response is mediated by the S-ON pathway through inhibitory input from an undiscovered S-cone amacrine cell. Using serial electron microscopy in the macaque retina, we reconstructed the neurons and synapses of the S-cone connectome, revealing a novel inhibitory interneuron, an amacrine cell, receiving excitatory glutamatergic input exclusively from S-ON bipolar cells. This S-cone amacrine cell makes highly selective inhibitory synapses onto ipRGCs, resulting in a blue-OFF response. Identification of the S-cone amacrine cell provides the missing component of an evolutionarily ancient circuit using spectral information for non-image forming visual functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara S Patterson
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98109, USA
| | | | - James R Anderson
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Maureen Neitz
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98109, USA
| | - Jay Neitz
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98109, USA.
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17
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Patterson SS, Neitz M, Neitz J. Reconciling Color Vision Models With Midget Ganglion Cell Receptive Fields. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:865. [PMID: 31474825 PMCID: PMC6707431 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Midget retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) make up the majority of foveal RGCs in the primate retina. The receptive fields of midget RGCs exhibit both spectral and spatial opponency and are implicated in both color and achromatic form vision, yet the exact mechanisms linking their responses to visual perception remain unclear. Efforts to develop color vision models that accurately predict all the features of human color and form vision based on midget RGCs provide a case study connecting experimental and theoretical neuroscience, drawing on diverse research areas such as anatomy, physiology, psychophysics, and computer vision. Recent technological advances have allowed researchers to test some predictions of color vision models in new and precise ways, producing results that challenge traditional views. Here, we review the progress in developing models of color-coding receptive fields that are consistent with human psychophysics, the biology of the primate visual system and the response properties of midget RGCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara S Patterson
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Maureen Neitz
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jay Neitz
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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18
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Bromundt V, Wirz-Justice A, Boutellier M, Winter S, Haberstroh M, Terman M, Münch M. Effects of a dawn-dusk simulation on circadian rest-activity cycles, sleep, mood and well-being in dementia patients. Exp Gerontol 2019; 124:110641. [PMID: 31252161 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2019.110641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Light is the most powerful "zeitgeber" signal to synchronize circadian sleep-wake cycles. In dementia, these rhythms are often fragmented - probably due to loss of neuronal function of the suprachiasmatic nuclei (the biological "master clock" in the brain) and/or weakness of external zeitgebers. We investigated the effects of a prototype dawn-dusk simulator (DDS) on circadian rest-activity cycles, sleep, mood and well-being in a balanced crossover design during fall and winter in 20 institutionalized patients with dementia (86 ± 6 y, 17 f). All participants had one baseline week followed by exposure to individually timed DDS over their beds for 7-8 weeks. They spent 8 weeks without DDS as a control. Mood, self-reliant daily activity, social behavior, agitation, and quality of life were assessed by standardized questionnaires and visual analogue scales, regularly rated by trained caregivers. Circadian and sleep characteristics of their rest-activity cycles were analyzed by actimetry over 17 weeks. DDS exposure led to significantly better mood in the morning hours after waking. The effects were most pronounced in the second 4 weeks with DDS, indicating that positive effects emerged gradually. Differences in circadian rest-activity cycles and sleep were mainly age-dependent. We found statistically significant correlations between measures of higher quality of life and better mood, greater alertness and circadian rhythm stability. We conclude that continuous, long-term application of dawn-dusk simulation at the sleep-wake transitions appears to increase external zeitgeber strength in institutionalized patients with dementia. The DDS may provide an effective, non-invasive tool to improve mood and ameliorate patients' quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivien Bromundt
- Sleep-Wake-Epilepsy-Center, Dept. of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anna Wirz-Justice
- Centre for Chronobiology, Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | - Mirjam Münch
- Charité, University Medicine Berlin, Institute of Physiology and Institute of Medical Immunology, Berlin, Germany.
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