Effects of light on human circadian rhythms

• Published in: Reproduction, nutrition, development Vol. 39; no. 3; pp. 295 - 304
• Main Authors: SKENE, D. J, LOCKLEY, S. W, THAPAN, K, ARENDT, J
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Les Ulis EDP Sciences 01.05.1999
• Subjects: Adrenal Cortex - secretion; Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Blindness - physiopathology; Chronobiology; Circadian Rhythm - radiation effects; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Hydrocortisone - secretion; Hydrocortisone - urine; Light; Male; Melatonin - analogs & derivatives; Melatonin - secretion; Melatonin - urine; Middle Aged; Norepinephrine - physiology; Photic Stimulation; Photoperiod; Pineal Gland - secretion; Retina - physiology; Sleep Stages - physiology; Suprachiasmatic Nucleus - physiology; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Vision Disorders - physiopathology; Vision, Monocular; Visual Perception; Human; Melatonin; Temperature; Vision disorder; Biological rhythm; Circadian rhythm; Hydrocortisone; Glucocorticoid; Eye disease; Sleep; Chronobiology; Light; Adrenal hormone; Blindness; Arousal; Pineal hormone

Blind subjects with defective retinal processing provide a good model to study the effects of light (or absence of light) on the human circadian system. The circadian rhythms (melatonin, cortisol, timing of sleep/wake) of individuals with different degrees of light perception (n = 67) have been stud...