title: Chronic artificial blue-enriched white light is an effective countermeasure to delayed circadian phase and neurobehavioral decrements.
abstract: Studies in Polar Base stations, where personnel have no access to sunlight during winter, have reported circadian misalignment, free-running of the sleep-wake rhythm, and sleep problems. Here we tested light as a countermeasure to circadian misalignment in personnel of the Concordia Polar Base station during the polar winter. We hypothesized that entrainment of the circadian pacemaker to a 24-h light-dark schedule would not occur in all crew members (n = 10) exposed to 100-300 lux of standard fluorescent white (SW) light during the daytime, and that chronic non-time restricted daytime exposure to melanopsin-optimized blue-enriched white (BE) light would establish an a stable circadian phase, in participants, together with increased cognitive performance and mood levels. The lighting schedule consisted of an alternation between SW lighting (2 weeks), followed by a BE lighting (2 weeks) for a total of 9 weeks. Rest-activity cycles assessed by actigraphy showed a stable rest-activity pattern under both SW and BE light. No difference was found between light conditions on the intra-daily stability, variability and amplitude of activity, as assessed by non-parametric circadian analysis. As hypothesized, a significant delay of about 30 minutes in the onset of melatonin secretion occurred with SW, but not with BE light. BE light significantly enhanced well being and alertness compared to SW light. We propose that the superior efficacy of blue-enriched white light versus standard white light involves melanopsin-based mechanisms in the activation of the non-visual functions studied, and that their responses do not dampen with time (over 9-weeks). This work could lead to practical applications of light exposure in working environment where background light intensity is chronically low to moderate (polar base stations, power plants, space missions, etc.), and may help design lighting strategies to maintain health, productivity, and personnel safety.
authors: Inserm U846, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute, Bron, France; University of Lyon, Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France.
authors: Raymond P
authors: RP
authors: Najjar
authors: Wolf Technologieberatung - Object-Tracker, Perchtoldsdorf, Austria.
authors: Luzian
authors: L
authors: Wolf
authors: University of Bordeaux, Sommeil, Attention et Neuropsychiatrie, USR 3413, Bordeaux, France; CNRS, Sommeil, Attention et Neuropsychiatrie, USR 3413, Bordeaux, France.
authors: Jacques
authors: J
authors: Taillard
authors: Philips Research, High Tech Campus 34 5656AE, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
authors: Luc J M
authors: LJ
authors: Schlangen
authors: Institut Polaire Français Paul-Emile Victor (IPEV), Technopôle Brest-Iroise - BP 75, Plouzané, France.
authors: Alex
authors: A
authors: Salam
authors: Centre for Chronobiology Psychiatric University Clinic, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Cajochen
authors: Inserm U846, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute, Bron, France; University of Lyon, Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France.
authors: Claude
authors: C
authors: Gronfier
mesh_terms: D000864:Antarctic Regions; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D012621:Seasons; D012890:Sleep; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000209:etiology