第1277回 生物科学セミナー
演者: Dr. Kwoon Y. Wong
Associate Professor, University of Michigan, U.S.A.
演題：Using temporally modulated light to enhance subconscious 　 visual stimulation
日時：平成30年05月17日（木）17：30〜18：30
Light evokes not only conscious vision by stimulating rods and cones but also subconscious physiological responses by stimulating intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), which sense light using the photopigment melanopsin. To promote wellbeing, stimulation of ipRGCs should be maximized during the daytime, but unfortunately standard indoor lights activate ipRGCs inadequately. To help design healthier electric lights, we have systematically characterized the photoresponse properties of ipRGCs. We found that ipRGCs respond more strongly to periodically flickering light than to steady light, and that melanopsin responds most robustly to a flicker frequency of ~0.1 Hz (Vartanian et al. 2015, Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci.; Walch et al. 2015, J. Neurophysiol.). Based on these findings we have developed a novel lighting technology that aims to boost ipRGC stimulation throughout the daytime. I will present preliminary data suggesting that this light is more effective than steady light in enhancing alertness and cognitive performance in human subjects.


世話人：理学系研究科　小島 大輔