title: Fluorescent light induces neurodegeneration in the rodent nigrostriatal system but near infrared LED light does not.
abstract: We investigated the effects of continuous artificial light exposure on the mouse substantia nigra (SN). A three month exposure of C57Bl/6J mice to white fluorescent light induced a 30% reduction in dopamine (DA) neurons in SN compared to controls, accompanied by a decrease of DA and its metabolites in the striatum. After six months of exposure, neurodegeneration progressed slightly, but the level of DA returned to the basal level, while the metabolites increased with respect to the control. Three month exposure to near infrared LED light (∼710nm) did not alter DA neurons in SN, nor did it decrease DA and its metabolites in the striatum. Furthermore mesencephalic cell viability, as tested by [3H]DA uptake, did not change. Finally, we observed that 710nm LED light, locally conveyed in the rat SN, could modulate the firing activity of extracellular-recorded DA neurons. These data suggest that light can be detrimental or beneficial to DA neurons in SN, depending on the source and wavelength.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy. Electronic address: stefania.romeo@univaq.it.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Romeo
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Flora
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vitale
authors.affiliation: Department of Translational Research and New Technology in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Viaggi
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: di Marco
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aloisi
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fasciani
authors.affiliation: Department of Translational Research and New Technology in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pardini
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pietrantoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Mattia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Paolo
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Riccitelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maccarone
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mattei
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Capannolo
authors.affiliation: Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MA 20892, United States.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Capozzo
authors.affiliation: Department of Translational Research and New Technology in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni U
authors.initials: GU
authors.lastname: Corsini
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scarnati
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lozzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Translational Research and New Technology in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vaglini
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maggio
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D059290:Dopaminergic Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D007259:Infrared Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D008027:Light / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D004298:Dopamine
keywords: Dopamine neuron; Firing pattern; Fluorescent light; LED light; Light pollution; Parkinson’s disease