One minute of exposure to blue, green, or red light alters the functional connectivity of neural networks

A study led by researchers at UPC’s Terrassa School of Optics and Optometry (FOOT) found that one minute of stimulation with blue, green, or red light could activate several visual and non-visual brain regions. shown. This study provides new insights into the effects of light stimulation on brain function and the use of light stimulation in the treatment of visual disturbances, symptoms of depression, circadian rhythm disturbances, migraines, memory or attention disorders. open the way

Advances in light stimulation research indicate that light exposure can have a positive impact on spring asthenia, circadian rhythm disturbances, and even health-related problems such as bipolar disorder and Alzheimer’s disease. is showing.

However, the extent and location of changes in brain regions induced by exposure to monochromatic light remain largely unknown. To advance in this field, a group of researchers from his Terrassa School of Optics and Optometry (FOOT) at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia-Barcelona Polytechnic University (UPC) conducted a pilot study. They demonstrated that exposing him to blue, green, or red light for just one minute altered the functional connectivity of a wide range of neural networks or visual and non-visual brain regions.

According to researchers, each of the brain’s connection patterns seems to be optimally aligned to perform better on tasks related to specific cognitive areas. and green light exposure improves visual attention and redness.-Light exposure affects areas such as memory.

The study, recently published in Scientific Reports (Nature), was coordinated by researcher and FOOT professor Marc Argilés, in collaboration with UPC optical engineering PhD students Bernat Sunyer and Silvia Arteche. It was attended by the Barcelona Beta Brain Research Center (BBRC), funded by the Official Association of Optometrists of Catalonia (COOOC) and created by the Pascual Maragal Foundation, and her Cleofé Peña Gómez, a physician from Netdatica. This research was also supported by the Catalan Optometry and Vision Therapy Association (ACOTV).

Research and Development

This pilot study involved seven subjects (four females and three males) aged 21 to 33 years and exposed to one of three wavelengths (blue, green, red) for one minute. . Mataro. These instruments had been optically studied and characterized (wavelength, irradiance, photon density) at FOOT in collaboration with Prof. Elizabeth Pérez.

In addition, functional magnetic resonance measurements were performed on the subjects, and the researchers found how brain connectivity changed in the same brain regions in all participants over a short period of time after as little as 60 seconds of light stimulation. could be observed. Functional connectivity (FC) in all networks except the saliency network after blue-light exposure, an overall increase in FC after green-light exposure, particularly prominent in the left hemisphere, and an increase in FC coupled with an increase in FC on the attention network in the default mode network after red-light exposure,” the authors explain.

“This study provides a better understanding of the effects of light stimulation on brain function and the use of light stimulation to treat not only visual impairment, but also symptoms of depression, circadian rhythm disturbances, migraine headaches, memory or attention deficits. It opens up new avenues for doing,” concludes the researchers.