Blue light improves cognitive performance

SummaryA newly discovered system of photoreceptors for circadian rhythms works non-visual and responds to blue light (460 nm). We report a longitudinal study in 44 adults, showing that a significant increase in alertness and speed of information processing could be achieved by blue light as compared to normal light.

[1]  D. Skene,et al.  An action spectrum for melatonin suppression: evidence for a novel non‐rod, non‐cone photoreceptor system in humans , 2001, The Journal of physiology.

[2]  Siegfried Lehrl,et al.  A basic information psychological parameter (BIP) for the reconstruction of concepts of intelligence , 1990 .

[3]  J. Waterhouse,et al.  The Circadian Body Temperature Rhythm in the Elderly: Effect of Single Daily Melatonin Dosing , 2006, Chronobiology international.

[4]  D. Berson,et al.  Phototransduction by Retinal Ganglion Cells That Set the Circadian Clock , 2002, Science.

[5]  Izzo,et al.  SUPPRESSION OF MELATONIN SECRETION IN SOME BLIND PATIENTS BY EXPOSURE TO BRIGHT LIGHT , 2001 .

[6]  R. Yerkes,et al.  The relation of strength of stimulus to rapidity of habit‐formation , 1908 .

[7]  A. Wirz-Justice,et al.  High sensitivity of human melatonin, alertness, thermoregulation, and heart rate to short wavelength light. , 2005, The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism.

[8]  G. Brainard,et al.  Photons, Clocks, and Consciousness , 2005, Journal of biological rhythms.

[9]  F. Scheer,et al.  Short-wavelength sensitivity for the direct effects of light on alertness, vigilance, and the waking electroencephalogram in humans. , 2006, Sleep.

[10]  G. Brainard,et al.  Action Spectrum for Melatonin Regulation in Humans: Evidence for a Novel Circadian Photoreceptor , 2001, The Journal of Neuroscience.

[11]  Charles A Czeisler,et al.  High sensitivity of the human circadian melatonin rhythm to resetting by short wavelength light. , 2003, The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism.