title: A human phase-response curve to light.
abstract: Using 'classical' experimental protocols, a human phase-response curve (PRC) to a single 3-h bright light pulse has been established. When the light pulse was centred slightly before the time of body temperature minimum, the circadian system delayed, whilst a pulse slightly after the minimum advanced it. Maximum phase shifts were about 2 h. When light pulses over 3 successive cycles were used, larger shifts (4-7 h) were produced. It is concluded that the human PRC does not differ in principle from that found in other species, except with respect to the light intensity required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Manchester, U.K.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Minors
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Waterhouse
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wirz-Justice
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology