non-visual effects of light on melatonin, alertness and cognitive performance can blue-enriched light keep us alert非视觉的影响褪黑激素,警觉性和认知能力可以blue-enriched光让我们警觉.pdfVIP

Non-Visual Effects of Light on Melatonin, Alertness and Cognitive Performance: Can Blue-Enriched Light Keep Us Alert? 1,2 3 4 3 ¨ 1 Sarah Laxhmi Chellappa , Roland Steiner , Peter Blattner , Peter Oelhafen , Thomas Gotz , Christian Cajochen1* 1 Centre for Chronobiology, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland, 2 The CAPES Foundation/Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasilia, Brazil, 3 Department of Physics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland, 4 Federal Office of Metrology (METAS), Bern-Wabern, Switzerland Abstract Background: Light exposure can cascade numerous effects on the human circadian process via the non-imaging forming system, whose spectral relevance is highest in the short-wavelength range. Here we investigated if commercially available compact fluorescent lamps with different colour temperatures can impact on alertness and cognitive performance. Methods: Sixteen healthy young men were studied in a balanced cross-over design with light exposure of 3 different light settings (compact fluorescent lamps with light of 40 lux at 6500K and at 2500K and incandescent lamps of 40 lux at 3000K) during 2 h in the evening. Results: Exposure to light at 6500K induced greater melatonin suppression, together with enhanced subjective alertness, well-being and visual comfort. With respect to cognitive performance, light at 6500K led to significantly faster reaction times in tasks associated with sustained attention (Psychomotor Vigilance and GO/NOGO Task), but not in tasks associated with executive function (Paced Visual Serial Addition Task). This cognitive improvement was strongly related with attenuated salivary melatonin levels, particularly for the light condition at 6500K. Conclu