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Journal of Biological Rhythms
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Sensitivity of the Human Circadian System to Short-Wavelength (420-nm) Light

George C. Brainard

Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, george.brainard{at}jefferson.edu

David Sliney

Laser/Optical Radiation Program, US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, Consulting Medical Physicist, 406 Streamside Drive, Fallston, MD 21047-2806

John P. Hanifin

Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA

Gena Glickman

Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, Department of Psychology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0109

Brenda Byrne

Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA

Jeffrey M. Greeson

Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, Duke Integrative Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC Box 102904, Durham, NC 27710

Samar Jasser

Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, University of Pennsylvania, Department of Psychiatry, 3535 Market Street, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Edward Gerner

Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA

Mark D. Rollag

Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA

The circadian and neurobehavioral effects of light are primarily mediated by a retinal ganglion cell photoreceptor in the mammalian eye containing the photopigment melanopsin. Nine action spectrum studies using rodents, monkeys, and humans for these responses indicate peak sensitivities in the blue region of the visible spectrum ranging from 459 to 484 nm, with some disagreement in short-wavelength sensitivity of the spectrum. The aim of this work was to quantify the sensitivity of human volunteers to monochromatic 420-nm light for plasma melatonin suppression. Adult female (n = 14) and male (n = 12) subjects participated in 2 studies, each employing a within-subjects design. In a fluence-response study, subjects (n = 8) were tested with 8 light irradiances at 420 nm ranging over a 4-log unit photon density range of 1010 to 1014 photons/cm 2/sec and 1 dark exposure control night. In the other study, subjects (n = 18) completed an experiment comparing melatonin suppression with equal photon doses (1.21 x 1013 photons/cm2/sec) of 420 nm and 460 nm monochromatic light and a dark exposure control night. The first study demonstrated a clear fluence-response relationship between 420-nm light and melatonin suppression (p < 0.001) with a half-saturation constant of 2.74 x 1011 photons/cm2/sec. The second study showed that 460-nm light is significantly stronger than 420-nm light for suppressing melatonin (p < 0.04). Together, the results clarify the visible short-wavelength sensitivity of the human melatonin suppression action spectrum. This basic physiological finding may be useful for optimizing lighting for therapeutic and other applications.

Key Words: melatonin • action spectrum • circadian • wavelength • light • pineal gland • neuroendocrine • photoreception

Journal of Biological Rhythms, Vol. 23, No. 5, 379-386 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0748730408323089
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M. D. Rollag
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