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Nagare R, Rea MS, Figueiro MG. Spatial sensitivity of human circadian response: Melatonin suppression from on-axis and off-axis light exposures. Neurobiol Sleep Circadian Rhythms 2021; 11:100071. [PMID: 34286162 PMCID: PMC8278206 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbscr.2021.100071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A better understanding of the spatial sensitivity of the human circadian system to photic stimulation can provide practical solutions for optimized circadian light exposures. Two psychophysical experiments, involving 25 adult participants in Experiment 1 (mean age = 34.0 years [SD 15.5]; 13 females) and 15 adult participants in Experiment 2 (mean age = 43.0 years [SD 12.6]; 12 females), were designed to investigate whether varying only the spatial distribution of luminous stimuli in the environment while maintaining a constant spectrally weighted irradiance at the eye could influence nocturnal melatonin suppression. Two spatial distributions were employed, one where the luminous stimulus was presented On-axis (along the line of sight) and one where two luminous stimuli were both presented Off-axis (laterally displaced at center by 14°). Two narrowband LED light sources, blue (λmax = 451 nm) for first experiment and green (λmax = 522 nm) for second experiment, were used in both the On-axis and the Off-axis spatial distributions. The blue luminous stimulus targeting the fovea and parafovea (On-axis) was about three times more effective for suppressing melatonin than the photometrically and spectrally matched stimulus targeting the more peripheral retina (Off-axis). The green luminous stimulus targeting the fovea and parafovea (On-axis) was about two times more effective for suppressing melatonin than the photometrically and spectrally matched stimulus targeting the more peripheral retina (Off-axis).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Nagare
- Light and Health Research Center, Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mark S Rea
- Light and Health Research Center, Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mariana G Figueiro
- Light and Health Research Center, Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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Chellappa SL, Bromundt V, Frey S, Cajochen C. Age-related neuroendocrine and alerting responses to light. GeroScience 2021; 43:1767-1781. [PMID: 33638088 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-021-00333-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is associated with sleep and circadian alterations, which can negatively affect quality of life and longevity. Importantly, the age-related reduction in light sensitivity, particularly in the short-wavelength range, may underlie sleep and circadian alterations in older people. While evidence suggests that non-image-forming (NIF) light responses may diminish in older individuals, most laboratory studies have low sample sizes, use non-ecological light settings (e.g., monochromatic light), and typically focus on melatonin suppression by light. Here, we investigated whether NIF light effects on endogenous melatonin levels and sleep frontal slow-wave activity (primary outcomes), and subjective sleepiness and sustained attention (secondary outcomes) attenuate with aging. We conducted a stringently controlled within-subject study with 3 laboratory protocols separated by ~ 1 week in 31 young (18-30 years; 15 women) and 16 older individuals (55-80 years; eight women). Each protocol included 2 h of evening exposure to commercially available blue-enriched polychromatic light (6500 K) or non-blue-enriched light (3000 K or 2500 K) at low levels (~ 40 lx, habitual in evening indoor settings). Aging significantly affected the influence of light on endogenous melatonin levels, subjective sleepiness, sustained attention, and frontal slow-wave activity (interaction: P < 0.001, P = 0.004, P = 0.007, P = 0.001, respectively). In young individuals, light exposure at 6500 K significantly attenuated the increase in endogenous melatonin levels, improved subjective sleepiness and sustained attention performance, and decreased frontal slow-wave activity in the beginning of sleep. Conversely, older individuals did not exhibit signficant differential light sensitivity effects. Our findings provide evidence for an association of aging and reduced light sensitivity, with ramifications to sleep, cognition, and circadian health in older people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Chellappa
- Medical Chronobiology Program, Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 221 Longwood Avenue, 039 BLI, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. .,Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Vivien Bromundt
- Sleep-Wake-Epilepsy-Center, Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland.,Centre for Chronobiology, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sylvia Frey
- Centre for Chronobiology, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Cajochen
- Centre for Chronobiology, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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Knufinke M, Nieuwenhuys A, Geurts SA, Møst EI, Moen MH, Maase K, Coenen AM, Gordijn MC, Kompier MA. Dim light, sleep tight, and wake up bright – Sleep optimization in athletes by means of light regulation. Eur J Sport Sci 2020; 21:7-15. [DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2020.1722255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Knufinke
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Exercise Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Arne Nieuwenhuys
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Philips Strategy and Innovation, Research, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Sabine A.E. Geurts
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Els I.S. Møst
- Department of Elite Sports, Netherlands Olympic Committee * Netherlands Sports Federation, Arnhem, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten H. Moen
- Donders Center for Cognition, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Kamiel Maase
- Donders Center for Cognition, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anton M.L. Coenen
- Chronobiology Unit, Groningen Institute of Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marijke C.M. Gordijn
- Philips Experience Design, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Chrono@Work B.V., Groningen, The Netherlands
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Abstract
Poor sleep is common among older adults, often caused by multiple underlying factors such as chronic stress. Poor sleep is subsequently associated with negative health outcomes including higher morbidity and mortality. Our primary purpose is to explore practical non-pharmacological intervention approaches integrating stress management to improve sleep quality among older adults. In doing so, we highlight approaches that appear to hold promise in real-world settings with older individuals. We conducted a tailored literature review specifically on approaches to improve sleep quality among older adults, with emphasis on those integrating stress management. Online search engines were reviewed to identify research in these areas. Various non-pharmacological intervention approaches, such as mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy, have shown promise in improving sleep quality and health outcomes within this population. Those integrating chronic stress management appear to be particularly successful. Thus further development of multidimensional sleep interventions integrating stress management with seniors is warranted.
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Differential impact in young and older individuals of blue-enriched white light on circadian physiology and alertness during sustained wakefulness. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7620. [PMID: 28790405 PMCID: PMC5548856 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07060-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
We tested the effect of different lights as a countermeasure against sleep-loss decrements in alertness, melatonin and cortisol profile, skin temperature and wrist motor activity in healthy young and older volunteers under extendend wakefulness. 26 young [mean (SE): 25.0 (0.6) y)] and 12 older participants [(mean (SE): 63.6 (1.3) y)] underwent 40-h of sustained wakefulness during 3 balanced crossover segments, once under dim light (DL: 8 lx), and once under either white light (WL: 250 lx, 2,800 K) or blue-enriched white light (BL: 250 lx, 9,000 K) exposure. Subjective sleepiness, melatonin and cortisol were assessed hourly. Skin temperature and wrist motor activity were continuously recorded. WL and BL induced an alerting response in both the older (p = 0.005) and the young participants (p = 0.021). The evening rise in melatonin was attentuated under both WL and BL only in the young. Cortisol levels were increased and activity levels decreased in the older compared to the young only under BL (p = 0.0003). Compared to the young, both proximal and distal skin temperatures were lower in older participants under all lighting conditions. Thus the color temperature of normal intensity lighting may have differential effects on circadian physiology in young and older individuals.
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Abstract
The human eye is constantly exposed to sunlight and artificial lighting. Light transmission through the eye is fundamental to its unique biological functions of directing vision and circadian rhythm and therefore light absorbed by the eye must be benign. However, exposure to the very intense ambient radiation can pose a hazard particularly if the recipient is over 40 years of age. There are age-related changes in the endogenous (natural) chromophores (lipofuscin, A2E and all-trans-retinal derivatives) in the human retina that makes it more susceptible to visible light damage. Intense visible light sources that do not filter short blue visible light (400-440 nm) used for phototherapy of circadian imbalance (i.e. seasonal affective disorder) increase the risk for age-related light damage to the retina. Moreover, many drugs, dietary supplements, nanoparticles and diagnostic dyes (xenobiotics) absorb ocular light and have the potential to induce photodamage to the retina, leading to transient or permanent blinding disorders. This article will review the underlying reasons why visible light in general and short blue visible light in particular dramatically raises the risk of photodamage to the human retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert R Wielgus
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
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Portaluppi F. The Medical Subject Headings® thesaurus remains inaccurate and incomplete for electronic indexing and retrieval of chronobiologic references. BIOL RHYTHM RES 2011. [DOI: 10.1080/09291016.2011.613619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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Figueiro MG, Lesniak NZ, Rea MS. Implications of controlled short-wavelength light exposure for sleep in older adults. BMC Res Notes 2011; 4:334. [PMID: 21902824 PMCID: PMC3180465 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-4-334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2011] [Accepted: 09/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Environmental and physiological conditions make older adults more likely to lose synchronization to their local time and experience sleep disturbances. A regular, 24-hour light/dark cycle promotes synchronization. It is now well established that the circadian system is maximally sensitive to short-wavelength (blue) light. The purpose of the present study was to measure dose effectiveness (amounts and durations) of short-wavelength (blue) light for stimulating the circadian systems of older adults. We investigated the impact of six corneal irradiances (0.7 to 72 μW/cm2) of 470-nm light on nocturnal melatonin production. Nine participants, each over 50 years of age completed a within-subjects study. Each week, participants were exposed to one of the six irradiances of 470-nm light for 90 minutes. Findings A two-factor (6 corneal irradiances × 10 exposure durations), within-subjects analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted using the melatonin suppression levels. The ANOVA revealed a significant main effect of corneal irradiance (F5, 30 = 9.131, p < 0.0001), a significant main effect of exposure duration (F9, 54 = 5.731, p < 0.0001), and a significant interaction between these two variables (F45,270 = 1.927, p < 0.001). Post hoc t-tests revealed that corneal irradiances as low as 2 μW/cm2 reliably suppressed melatonin after 90-minute exposure whereas 0.7 μW/cm2 did not. Conclusions Sleep disorders are common and a serious problem for millions of older adults. The present results showed that comfortable, precise and effective doses of light can be prescribed to older adults to reliably stimulate the circadian system that presumably would promote entrainment and, thus, regular sleep. Field studies on the impact of short-wavelength-light doses on sleep efficiency in older adults should be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana G Figueiro
- Lighting Research Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 21 Union Street/3rd floor, Troy, NY, 12180, USA.
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Parry BL, Meliska CJ, Sorenson DL, Lopez A, Martínez LF, Hauger RL, Elliott JA. Increased sensitivity to light-induced melatonin suppression in premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Chronobiol Int 2010; 27:1438-53. [PMID: 20795885 PMCID: PMC3038841 DOI: 10.3109/07420528.2010.503331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Increased sensitivity to light-induced melatonin suppression characterizes some, but not all, patients with bipolar illness or seasonal affective disorder. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that patients with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), categorized as a depressive disorder in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), have altered sensitivity to 200 lux light during mid-follicular (MF) and late-luteal (LL) menstrual cycle phases compared with normal control (NC) women. As an extension of a pilot study in which the authors administered 500 lux to 8 PMDD and 5 NC subjects, in the present study the authors administered 200 lux to 10 PMDD and 13 NC subjects during MF and LL menstrual cycle phases. Subjects were admitted to the General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) in dim light (<50 lux) to dark (during sleep) conditions at 16:00 h where nurses inserted an intravenous catheter at 17:00 h and collected plasma samples for melatonin at 30-min intervals from 18:00 to 10:00 h, including between 00:00 and 01:00 h for baseline values, between 01:30 and 03:00 h during the 200 lux light exposure administered from 01:00 to 03:00 h, and at 03:30 and 04:00 h after the light exposure. Median % melatonin suppression was significantly greater in PMDD (30.8%) versus NC (-0.2%) women (p = .040), and was significantly greater in PMDD in the MF (30.8%) than in the LL (-0.15%) phase (p = .047). Additionally, in the LL (but not the MF) phase, % suppression after 200 lux light was significantly positively correlated with serum estradiol level (p = .007) in PMDD patients, but not in NC subjects (p > .05).
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara L Parry
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0804, USA.
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Rea MS, Figueiro MG, Bierman A, Bullough JD. Circadian light. J Circadian Rhythms 2010; 8:2. [PMID: 20377841 PMCID: PMC2851666 DOI: 10.1186/1740-3391-8-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2009] [Accepted: 02/13/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The present paper reflects a work in progress toward a definition of circadian light, one that should be informed by the thoughtful, century-old evolution of our present definition of light as a stimulus for the human visual system. This work in progress is based upon the functional relationship between optical radiation and its effects on nocturnal melatonin suppression, in large part because the basic data are available in the literature. Discussed here are the fundamental differences between responses by the visual and circadian systems to optical radiation. Brief reviews of photometry, colorimetry, and brightness perception are presented as a foundation for the discussion of circadian light. Finally, circadian light (CLA) and circadian stimulus (CS) calculation procedures based on a published mathematical model of human circadian phototransduction are presented with an example.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark S Rea
- Lighting Research Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 21 Union Street, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Mariana G Figueiro
- Lighting Research Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 21 Union Street, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Andrew Bierman
- Lighting Research Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 21 Union Street, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - John D Bullough
- Lighting Research Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 21 Union Street, Troy, NY 12180, USA
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