Task Progress:
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This is the final year of a directed research project that had reduced aims due to an unexpected funding reduction. The goal is to study the efficacy of blue or blue-enriched white solid-state light for enhancing alertness in men and women as a basis for developing an in-flight lighting countermeasure for enhancing alertness in astronauts and NASA ground crew. For this project, we have four 122 sq cm solid-state light sources: two with narrow-bandwidth (peak 469 nm) LEDs and two with broad-bandwidth blue-enriched LEDS that emit white-appearing light with a Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) of 6,500 K. These units provide a large, uniform light-emitting surface with intensity modulation. An independent safety analysis of both LED light sources based on national (American Conference of Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)) and international (The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)) criteria has been completed. James Maida of Johnson Space Center (JSC) and Charles Bowen, Ph.D., of Lockheed Martin (retired) have confirmed that the blue LED units meet NASA's safety standards (West et al., 2008).
A melatonin suppression study was conducted with the narrow bandwidth blue LED units to characterize their biological potency and to guide the selection of the light intensity for the multiday alertness study. Healthy subjects (N=8) completed a total of 84 nighttime melatonin suppression experiments. Data analysis was completed showing that the blue LED light evokes a dose-response melatonin suppression, and permitting the calculation of a target intensity for the alertness study. The data also indicate that blue LED light is stronger than 4,000 K white fluorescent light for suppressing melatonin. A peer-review manuscript has been published on these results (West et al., 2011).
Over 300 individuals volunteered to be screened for a 3-day alertness study with the blue LED light units. From that pool of volunteers, 26 subjects completed all medical, psychological, and ophthalmological examinations as well as screens for stability of sleep-wake cycles and drugs of abuse. Of the 24 subjects that entered the study, 22 completed the three-day inpatient alertness protocol. Analysis of plasma melatonin, subjective alertness, objective alertness, and neurobehavioral data was finalized this year. Due to reduced funding, only a partial analysis of polysomnography data was completed. Two presentations have been made at international meetings describing the protocol and a partial analysis of the resultant data set (Hanifin et al., 2010a, 2010b). Preliminary testing of visual performance and color discrimination has been done with selected intensities of the narrow bandwidth blue LEDs with 8 healthy subjects. A pilot study on the consequences of reducing the size of the light-emitting surface to a more flight-worthy size was designed and approved by the Jefferson IRB. Two exposure systems with broad-bandwidth blue-enriched LEDS (6,500 K) were used for this study. Eight healthy male and female subjects completed all 24 nighttime experiments for this study.
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Abstracts for Journals and Proceedings
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Brainard G, Ayers M, Kemp J, Coyle W, Bowen C, Maida J, Bernecker C, Lockley S, Goel N, Mollicone D, Dinges D, Warfield B, West K, Downes M, Hasher D, Whittaker A, Hanifin J. "Lighting countermeasures for sleep and circadian disruption onboard the International Space Station." 2012 NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop, Houston, TX, February 14-16, 2012. 2012 NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop, Houston, TX, February 14-16, 2012. , Feb-2012
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Abstracts for Journals and Proceedings
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Brainard G, Ayers M, Kemp J, Coyle W, Warfield B, Bowen C, Maida J, Bernecker C, Lockley S, Goel N, Mollicone D, Dinges D, Cecil K, West K, Welsh C, Hasher D, Balaicuis J, Flynn-Evans E, Hanifin J. "Lighting countermeasures for the International Space Station." 24th Annual Meeting of the Society for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms, Geneva, Switzerland, June 24-27, 2012. 24th Annual Meeting of the Society for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms, Geneva, Switzerland, June 24-27, 2012. Program and abstracts, p. 26. , Jun-2012
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Abstracts for Journals and Proceedings
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Downes M, Ayers M, Welsh C, Kemp J, Warfield B, Hanifin J, Brainard G. "Melatonin suppression using long wavelength-shifted, white-appearing light from the solid-state lighting module in a replica of the International Space Station crew sleeping quarters." 2012 NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop, Houston, TX, February 14-16, 2012. 2012 NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop, Houston, TX, February 14-16, 2012. , Feb-2012
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Abstracts for Journals and Proceedings
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Hanifin J, Downes M, Welsh C, Kemp J, Warfield B, Ayers M, Brainard G. "A color temperature comparison on melatonin regulation in healthy humans from a solid-state lighting assembly in a replica of the International Space Station crew quarters." 24th Annual Meeting of the Society for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms, Geneva, Switzerland, June 24-27, 2012. 24th Annual Meeting of the Society for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms, Geneva, Switzerland, June 24-27, 2012. Program and abstracts, p. 45. , Jun-2012
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Abstracts for Journals and Proceedings
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Rahman SA, Brainard GC, Czeisler CA, Lockley SW. "Diurnal Modulation in the Spectral Sensitivity of the Acute Alerting Effects of Light." 2012 NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop, Houston, TX, February 14-16, 2012. 2012 NASA Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop, Houston, TX, February 14-16, 2012. , Feb-2012
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Articles in Peer-reviewed Journals
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Barger LK, Sullivan JP, Vincent AS, Fiedler ER, McKenna LM, Flynn-Evans EE, Gilliland K, Sipes WE, Smith PH, Brainard GC, Lockley SW. "Learning to live on a Mars day: fatigue countermeasures during the Phoenix Mars Lander mission." Sleep. 2012 Oct 1;35(10):1423-35. PubMed PMID: 23024441 , Oct-2012
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Articles in Peer-reviewed Journals
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Brainard GC, Coyle W, Ayers M, Kemp J, Warfield B, Maida J, Bowen C, Bernecker C, Lockley SW, Hanifin JP. "Solid-state lighting for the International Space Station: tests of visual performance and melatonin regulation." Acta Astronautica. 2013 Nov;92(1):21-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2012.04.019 (originally reported as In Press, Corrected Proof, April 2012), , Nov-2013
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Articles in Peer-reviewed Journals
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Stevens RG, Brainard GC, Blask DE, Lockley SW, Motta ME. "Breast cancer and circadian disruption from electric lighting in the modern world." CA Cancer J Clin. 2014 May-Jun;64(3):207-18. Epub 2013 Dec 24. Review. http://dx.doi.org/10.3322/caac.21218 ; PubMed PMID: 24604162; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4038658 , May-2014
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Articles in Peer-reviewed Journals
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St Hilaire MA, Ruger M, Fratelli F, Hull JT, Phillips AJ, Lockley SW. "Modeling neurocognitive decline and recovery during repeated cycles of extended sleep and chronic sleep deficiency." Sleep. 2017 Jan 1;40(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsw009 ;
PubMed PMID: 28364449 , Jan-2017
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Articles in Peer-reviewed Journals
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Grant LK, Gooley JJ, St Hilaire MA, Joffe H, Brainard GC, Van Reen E, Rüger M, Rajaratnam SMW, Lockley SW, Czeisler CA, Rahman SA. "A pilot study of light exposure as a countermeasure for menstrual phase-dependent neurobehavioral performance impairment in women." Sleep Health. 2023 Sep 23. Online ahead of print. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleh.2023.08.012 ; PMID: 37748973 , Sep-2023
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Awards
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Brainard GC. "Election to Thomas Jefferson University Faculty Senate, August 2012." Aug-2012
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Awards
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Brainard GC. "Keynote Speaker at Light for Seniors Symposium in Washington D.C., March 2012." Mar-2012
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Awards
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Brainard GC. "Outstanding Research Award from Astronomical League, July 2012." Jul-2012
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Awards
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Hanifin JP. "Philips Student Travel Award to Society for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms, Geneva, Switzerland, June 2012." Jun-2012
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Awards
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Hanifin JP. "Young Investigator Travel Award, Gordon Research Conference on Pineal Cell Biology, Galveston, Texas, January 2012." Jan-2012
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Books/Book Chapters
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Byrne B, Brainard G. "Seasonal Affective Disorder." in "Therapy in sleep medicine." Ed. T.J. Barkoukis et al. Philadelphia : Elsevier Saunders, 2012. p. 659-704., Jan-2012
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Significant Media Coverage
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Teitell B. "Dim View of Lighting Law. Dr. Brainard is quoted in this article that builds a positive argument for the changes made by phasing out old light bulbs regarding health and energy efficiency." Boston Globe, April 4, 2011., Apr-2011
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Significant Media Coverage
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Beeler C. "SAD Strikes in the Summer Too. Dr. George Brainard talks to WHYY Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane about people having seasonal affective disorder in the summer." NPR /WHYY Radio, August 2011., Aug-2011
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Significant Media Coverage
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Guthrie C. "The Light-Cancer Connection. An article explaining the ill-effects of a 24/7 lifestyle on the cancer-inhibiting hormone, melatonin. Dr. Brainard's research is described." Prevention, November 2011. http://tinyurl.com/azzkk8l ; accessed 2/3/2015., Nov-2011
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Significant Media Coverage
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Ruiz FP. (Fernando Pages Ruiz) "New Research May Lead to Changes for Residential Lighting. Article discusses efficient and healthy lighting for new interior design, describing Dr. Brainard's research." EcoHome, March 26, 2012. http://www.ecobuildingpulse.com/air-quality/new-research-may-lead-to-changes-for-residential.aspx ; accessed 2/3/2015, Mar-2012
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Significant Media Coverage
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Cheney I. "The City Dark. Dr. Brainard describes his NSBRI research in this feature-length documentary film. The film has been selected and shown in numerous film festivals throughout North America and recently broadcast on PBS (July 5th, 2012) and was available streaming on the PBS website (see http://www.pbs.org/pov/citydark/#.UPbw2Yas16Y ; accessed 2/3/15). Media coverage around light pollution and THE CITY DARK, in conjunction with the PBS run, took place in the Chicago Sun-Times, on PBS News Hour, NPR’s Weekend Edition, and on CBS News." PBS. http://www.pbs.org/pov/citydark/#.UPbw2Yas16Y ; accessed 2/3/2015., Jul-2012
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Significant Media Coverage
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Raloff J. "Night Lights May Foster Depression. Scientific article discusses how light regulates mood and behavior outside of biological rhythms; Dr. Brainard is quoted." Science News. 2012 Aug 25;182(4):10., Aug-2012
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Significant Media Coverage
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JMC Alumni Bulletin. "Light Therapy for a Blue Planet and Beyond. Dr. Brainard discusses the differences of white vs blue-enriched light in treating SAD and applications to new light systems on the International Space Station." JMC Alumni Bulletin. 2012 Winter;61(1):14. http://jdc.jefferson.edu/alumni_bulletin/295 , Jan-2012
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Significant Media Coverage
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Kanellos M. "A New Use for LEDs: Mind Control. Dr. Brainard discusses predicted health benefits of upcoming LED lighting in indoor environments, such as in the ISS, and building technology on the biological effects of light." NYTimes Green Blog. October 7, 2011. http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/07/a-new-use-for-leds-mind-control/ ; accessed 2/3/2015., Oct-2011
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Significant Media Coverage
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Kanellos M. "Will LED light Bulbs Help You Fall Asleep? This article discusses resetting the circadian rhythm and how LEDs can help, quoting Dr. Brainard." Forbes. November 2, 2011. http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelkanellos/2011/11/02/will-led-light-bulbs-help-you-fall-asleep/ ; accessed 2/3/2015., Nov-2011
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Significant Media Coverage
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Jaffee MK. "When Screen Time Affects Kids Zzz Time. How artificial light and light-emitting devices affect circadian rhythms and alertness in children; Dr. Brainard's research is described." San Antonio Express News. December 13, 2011. http://www.mysanantonio.com/life/article/When-screen-time-affects-kids-zzz-time-2399716.php ; accessed 2/3/2015., Dec-2011
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Significant Media Coverage
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Avril T. "Putting Astronauts to Sleep. In this article, Dr. Brainard explains his NSBRI and NASA research on how a new LED light system on the ISS will benefit the health of astronauts." Philadelphia Inquirer, July 2012., Jul-2012
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