Light as a modulator of cognitive brain function.
Humans are a diurnal species usually exposed to light while engaged in cognitive tasks. Light not only guides performance on these tasks through vision but also exerts non-visual effects that are mediated in part by recently discovered retinal ganglion cells maximally sensitive to blue light. We review recent neuroimaging studies which demonstrate that the wavelength, duration and intensity of light exposure modulate brain responses to (non-visual) cognitive tasks. These responses to light are initially observed in alertness-related subcortical structures (hypothalamus, brainstem, thalamus) and limbic areas (amygdala and hippocampus), followed by modulations of activity in cortical areas, which can ultimately affect behaviour. Light emerges as an important modulator of brain function and cognition.
Vandewalle
Gilles
G
Cyclotron Research Centre, University of Liège, 8 Allée du 6 Août, Bâtiment B30, B-4000 Liège, Belgium. gilles.vandewalle@umontreal.ca
Maquet
Pierre
P
Dijk
Derk-Jan
DJ
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008550:Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism; D012160:Retina / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology
D008550:Melatonin