MOTW

Alkozei A, Smith R, Pisner DA, Vanuk JR, Berryhill SM, Fridman A, Shane BR, Knight SA, Killgore WD. Exposure to Blue Light Increases Subsequent Functional Activation of the Prefrontal Cortex During Performance of a Working Memory Task. Sleep. 2016 Sep 1;39(9):1671-80. 

This study focused on whether blue wavelengths of light have an effect on cognitive performance. In the study, participants were exposed to 469nm blue light or 578nm amber light for 30 minutes. After, they performed a working memory task while simultaneously being under an fMRI. The study found that the blue light condition was correlated with a quicker response time in the task as well as increased activation in the dorsolateral and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex. An important implication of this study is that blue-enriched light can be used in academic or work settings to increase performance in tasks that require individuals to be alert and quick in decision-making. 

Mott, M. S., Robinson, D. H., Walden, A., Burnette, J., & Rutherford, A. S. (2012). Illuminating the Effects of Dynamic Lighting on Student Learning. SAGE Open, 2(2). 

Past studies have shown that different aspects of lighting such as temperature and illumination can affect sleep, mood, focus motivation, concentration, and work/school performance. The implications of these studies have been artificial light systems that help humans perform tasks more efficiently by altering the light environment. In this study, 84 third graders were exposed to either focus (6000K-100fc average maintained) or normal lightning. Students exposed to focus lighting showed a higher oral reading fluency performance than did those with control lighting. 

Fernandez, D. C., Fogerson, P. M., Ospri, L. L., Thomsen, M. B., Layne, R. M., Severin, D., ... & Hattar, S. (2018). Light affects mood and learning through distinct retina-brain pathways. Cell, 175(1), 71-84.

This article discusses how light affects learning and mood by focusing on the intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells. The effects of light involve a pacemaker-independent role for the suprachiasmatic nucleus as well as the perihabenular nucleus in the thalamus. The article also discusses specific circuitry in the neuroanatomy of the brain that causes these effects of light. 

LESIONING

Rabiei, Z., Hojjati, M., Rafieian-Kopaeia, M., & Alibabaei, Z. (2013). Effect of Cyperus rotundus tubers ethanolic extract on learning and memory in animal model of Alzheimer. Biomedicine & Aging Pathology, 3(4), 185-191. 

This study looked at the association between cortical cholinergic deficiency and loss of cholinergic neurons on the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) to further Alzheimer's disease. In the study, rats were given electric lesions of the NBM prior to doing an assessment of their learning and memory performance. The researchers found that Cyperus rotundus tubers ethanolic extract had repairing effects on memory and behavioral disorders caused by the lesioning of the NBM. 

Animal Behavior

Leach, G., Adidharma, W., & Yan, L. (2013). Depression-like responses induced by daytime light deficiency in the diurnal grass rat (Arvicanthis niloticus). PLoS One, 8(2), e57115. 

This article studied light as a factor in Seasonal Affective Disorder, a common mood disorder that occurs in the winter, when there is not as much light. This study used the diurnal grass rat as an animal model to study SAD and discover the underlying neural mechanisms that cause the behavior changes in rats. The rats were housed in varying light conditions and their behaviors were assessed by a SSP test and forced swimming test. The results showed that animals in dim light conditions showed higher levels of depressive behaviors.