Randy J. Nelson, Ph.D., West Virginia University, to present seminar on 3/1/19 at 11:00 LIB-110: “Effects of Light at Night on Brain and Behavior”

Randy J. Nelson, Ph.D.
Professor & Chair, Department of Neuroscience
West Virginia University

“Effects of Light at Night on Brain and Behavior”

Life on earth has evolved during the past several billion years under relatively bright days and dark night conditions. Virtually, all organisms on the planet display an internal representation of our rotating planet in the form of circadian rhythms. Among vertebrates, virtually every aspect of physiology and behavior, including metabolism, food intake, hormone secretion, body temperature regulation, mood, and sleep is mediated by our internal clocks. The widespread adoption of electric lights during the past century exposed animals, including humans, to significant light at night for the first time in their evolutionary history. Importantly, endogenous circadian clocks depend on light to entrain to the external daily environment. Thus, light at night can derange temporal adaptations. Indeed, disruption of natural light-dark cycles results in several physiological and behavioral changes with potentially serious implications for physiology, behavior, and mood. In this talk, data from our lab will be reviewed on the role of dim light at night on metabolism and depressive-like behaviors. The association among light at night, dysregulation of clock gene expression, and neuroinflammation will be presented. Strategies to avoid the effects of light at night on metabolism and mood dysregulation will be recommended.

Friday, March 1, 2019, 11:00AM-12:00PM, LIB-110
University of North Texas Health Science Center
Fort Worth, Texas