Temporal integration of light flashes by the human circadian system.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Beyond image formation, the light that is detected by retinal photoreceptors influences subcortical functions, including circadian timing, sleep, and arousal. The physiology of nonimage-forming (NIF) photoresponses in humans is not well understood; therefore, the development of therapeutic interventions based on this physiology, such as bright light therapy to treat chronobiological disorders, remains challenging.

Methods

Thirty-nine participants were exposed to 60 minutes of either continuous light (n = 8) or sequences of 2-millisecond light flashes (n = 31) with different interstimulus intervals (ISIs; ranging from 2.5 to 240 seconds). Melatonin phase shift and suppression, along with changes in alertness and sleepiness, were assessed.

Results

We determin

SUBMITTER: Najjar RP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4767340 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature