Document Detail


Divergent photic thresholds in the non-image-forming visual system: entrainment, masking and pupillary light reflex.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20861055     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Light is the principal cue that entrains the circadian timing system, but the threshold of entrainment and the relative contributions of the retinal photoreceptors-rods, cones and intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells-are not known. We measured thresholds of entrainment of wheel-running rhythms at three wavelengths, and compared these to thresholds of two other non-image-forming visual system functions: masking and the pupillary light reflex (PLR). At the entrainment threshold, the relative spectral sensitivity and absolute photon flux suggest that this threshold is determined by rods. Dim light that entrained mice failed to elicit either masking or PLR; in general, circadian entrainment is more sensitive by 1-2 log units than other measures of the non-image-forming visual system. Importantly, the results indicate that dim light can entrain circadian rhythms even when it fails to produce more easily measurable acute responses to light such as phase shifting and melatonin suppression. Photosensitivity to one response, therefore, cannot be generalized to other non-image-forming functions. These results also impact practical problems in selecting appropriate lighting in laboratory animal husbandry.
Authors:
Matthew P Butler; Rae Silver
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural     Date:  2010-09-22
Journal Detail:
Title:  Proceedings. Biological sciences / The Royal Society     Volume:  278     ISSN:  1471-2954     ISO Abbreviation:  Proc. Biol. Sci.     Publication Date:  2011 Mar 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-01-25     Completed Date:  2011-05-17     Revised Date:  2012-03-07    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101245157     Medline TA:  Proc Biol Sci     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  745-50     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA. mb3024@columbia.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Circadian Rhythm / physiology
Male
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Motor Activity / physiology*
Perceptual Masking / physiology*
Photic Stimulation*
Photoperiod*
Reflex, Pupillary / physiology*
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
MH075045/MH/NIMH NIH HHS; NS37919/NS/NINDS NIH HHS; T32DK07328/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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