Dim nighttime illumination accelerates adjustment to timezone travel in an animal model. Curr Biol 2009 Feb 24;19(4):R156-7
Date
02/27/2009Pubmed ID
19243688DOI
10.1016/j.cub.2009.01.023Scopus ID
2-s2.0-60349116314 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 37 CitationsAbstract
Jetlag reflects a mismatch between local and circadian time following rapid timezone travel [1]. Appropriately timed bright light can shift human circadian rhythms but recovery is slow (e.g., 1-2 days per timezone). Most symptoms subside after resynchronization, but chronic jetlag may have enduring negative effects [2], including even accelerated mortality in mice [3]. Melatonin, prescription drugs, and/or exercise may help shift the clock but, like bright light, require complex schedules of application [1]. Thus, there is a need for more efficient and practical treatments for addressing jetlag. In contrast to bright daytime lighting, nighttime conditions have received scant attention. By incorporating more naturalistic nighttime lighting comparable in intensity to dim moonlight, we demonstrate that recovery after simulated jetlag is accelerated when nights are dimly lit rather than completely dark.
Author List
Evans JA, Elliott JA, Gorman MRAuthor
Jennifer A. Evans PhD Assistant Professor in the Biomedical Sciences department at Marquette UniversityMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Adaptation, PhysiologicalAnimals
Behavior, Animal
Biological Clocks
Circadian Rhythm
Cricetinae
Humans
Lighting
Mesocricetus
Mice
Motor Activity
Phodopus
Photoperiod
Time Factors
