| Acute effects of bright light exposure on cortisol levels. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20484692 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Multisynaptic neural and endocrine pathways from the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus have been hypothesized to communicate circadian and photic information to the adrenal glands. In humans, light exposure has been reported to have no effect, increase, or decrease cortisol levels. These inconsistent findings in humans may be related to differences among studies including the intensity (approximately 500 to 5500 lux), duration (15 min to 4 h), and circadian phase of light exposure. The authors assessed the influence of exposure to bright light on cortisol levels in humans during the rising and descending phases of the circadian rhythm of cortisol, that is, when cortisol levels are high. Twenty healthy men and women were studied using a within-subject research design. Subjects were studied in an environment free of time cues for 9 to 10 days. Subjects received a 6.7-h exposure of bright light (approximately 10,000 lux; equivalent to ambient light intensity just after sunrise or just before sunset) or dim light (approximately 3 lux; equivalent to candle light) during the biological night and morning. Bright light exposure significantly reduced plasma cortisol levels at both circadian phases studied, whereas dim light exposure had little effect on cortisol levels. The finding of an acute suppressive effect of bright light exposure on cortisol levels supports the existence of a mechanism by which photic information can acutely influence the human adrenal glands. |
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Authors:
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Christopher M Jung; Sat Bir S Khalsa; Frank A J L Scheer; Christian Cajochen; Steven W Lockley; Charles A Czeisler; Kenneth P Wright |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Journal of biological rhythms Volume: 25 ISSN: 1552-4531 ISO Abbreviation: J. Biol. Rhythms Publication Date: 2010 Jun |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-05-20 Completed Date: 2010-08-12 Revised Date: 2011-09-22 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8700115 Medline TA: J Biol Rhythms Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 208-16 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology, Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0354, USA. |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adrenal Glands
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radiation effects Adult Biological Clocks Circadian Rhythm Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation Female Humans Hydrocortisone / blood*, radiation effects* Light* Male Melatonin / blood, radiation effects Photic Stimulation Photoperiod |
| Grant Support | |
ID/Acronym/Agency:
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M01-RR-02635/RR/NCRR NIH HHS; R01 HL081761-04/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS; R01-HL081761/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS; R01-MH45130/MH/NIMH NIH HHS |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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50-23-7/Hydrocortisone; 73-31-4/Melatonin |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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