Abstract
Light is a potent stimulus for regulating circadian, hormonal, and behavioral systems. In addition, light therapy is effective for certain affective disorders, sleep problems, and circadian rhythm disruption. These biological and behavioral effects of light are influenced by a distinct photoreceptor in the eye, melanopsin-containing intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), in addition to conventional rods and cones. We summarize the neurophysiology of this newly described sensory pathway and consider implications for the measurement, production, and application of light. A new light-measurement strategy taking account of the complex photoreceptive inputs to these non-visual responses is proposed for use by researchers, and simple suggestions for artificial/architectural lighting are provided for regulatory authorities, lighting manufacturers, designers, and engineers.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-9 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Trends in Neurosciences |
| Volume | 37 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2014 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Of the 14 authors of this manuscript, Drs Berson, Cooper, Gamlin, Price, Provencio, and O’Hagan identify no potential conflicts of interest related to the manuscript, developed from the First International Workshop on Circadian and Neurophysiological Photometry. Dr Brainard reports that through Thomas Jefferson University, his laboratory has received equipment, advice, or financial support from the IESNA Philadelphia Chapter; Panasonic, OSRAM-Sylvania, Philips Lighting; Lutron, Lighting Sciences Group, Apollo Lighting; BioBrite Inc., and Litebook, and he holds two currently issued patents (USPTO #09/853,428 and #8,366,755) and two continuing patent applications (USPTO #09/853,428 and World PCT 2005/004948AZ). Dr Brown reports that he is currently contributing to a project funded by Philips Lighting and has received funding from Philips Lighting previously. Dr Czeisler reports that he has received consulting fees from or served as a paid member of scientific advisory boards to a number of companies such as: Cephalon, Inc. (acquired by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd); Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.; Sleep Multimedia, Inc.; and Zeo, Inc.; owns equity interests or receives royalties from other companies such as Philips Respironics, Inc.; is the incumbent of an endowed professorship provided to Harvard University by Cephalon, Inc.; holds a number of process patents in the field of sleep/circadian rhythms (e.g., photic resetting of the human circadian pacemaker), has served as an expert witness on various legal cases related to sleep and/or circadian rhythms; and directs the Harvard Medical School Division of Sleep Medicine, which has received unrestricted research and educational gifts and endowment funds from companies such as Philips Respironics, Inc. and Cephalon, Inc. Dr Figueiro reports that the Lighting Research Center receives funding from GE Lighting, Philips Lighting, Philips Respironics, and OSRAM Sylvania, and has built a light meter used for collecting circadian light in the field. Dr Lockley reports having received consulting fees from a number of companies such as Apollo Lighting and Naturebright; unrestricted equipment gifts from Bioilluminations LLC, Bionetics Corporation, and Philips Lighting; a fellowship gift from Optalert in Australia; honoraria, travel, accommodation, and/or meals for invited presentations or teaching from companies such as Velux, Apollo Lighting, Illinois Coalition for Responsible Outdoor Lighting, Lighting Science Group Corp, and Philips Lighting; has received previous and ongoing research grants from Alcon Inc., Apollo Lighting, Illuminations LLC, and Philips Lighting; has received patent revenue from a patent assigned to the University of Surrey; and holds a pending patent assigned to the Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr Lucas reports receiving project awards from Philips Lighting. Dr Peirson reports that his laboratory has a postdoctoral fellowship sponsored by Roche. Dr Skene reports having a patent (PHNL000507WO; EP 1317302B1); being the beneficiary of an agreement between the University of Surrey and Philips Lighting B.V. for patent assignment and receiving research grant support; receiving grant support from Philips Consumer Lifestyle B.V.; and being Co-director of Stockgrand Ltd, UK.