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Eyes as Gateways for Environmental Light to the Substantia Nigra: Relevance in Parkinson’s Disease
Joint Authors
Romeo, Stefania
Di Camillo, Daniela
Splendiani, Alessandra
Capannolo, Marta
Rocchi, Cristina
Aloisi, Gabriella
Fasciani, Irene
Corsini, Giovanni U.
Scarnati, Eugenio
Lozzi, Luca
Maggio, Roberto
Source
Issue
Vol. 2014, Issue 2014 (31 Dec. 2014), pp.1-7, 7 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2014-01-22
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
7
Main Subjects
Medicine
Information Technology and Computer Science
Abstract EN
Recent data indicates that prolonged bright light exposure of rats induces production of neuromelanin and reduction of tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons in the substantia nigra.
This effect was the result of direct light reaching the substantia nigra and not due to alteration of circadian rhythms.
Here, we measured the spectrum of light reaching the substantia nigra in rats and analysed the pathway that light may take to reach this deep brain structure in humans.
Wavelength range and light intensity, emitted from a fluorescent tube, were measured, using a stereotaxically implanted optical fibre in the rat mesencephalon.
The hypothetical path of environmental light from the eye to the substantia nigra in humans was investigated by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
Light with wavelengths greater than 600 nm reached the rat substantia nigra, with a peak at 709 nm.
Eyes appear to be the gateway for light to the mesencephalon since covering the eyes with aluminum foil reduced light intensity by half.
Using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of a human head, we identified the eye and the superior orbital fissure as possible gateways for environmental light to reach the mesencephalon.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Romeo, Stefania& Di Camillo, Daniela& Splendiani, Alessandra& Capannolo, Marta& Rocchi, Cristina& Aloisi, Gabriella…[et al.]. 2014. Eyes as Gateways for Environmental Light to the Substantia Nigra: Relevance in Parkinson’s Disease. The Scientific World Journal،Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1049203
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Romeo, Stefania…[et al.]. Eyes as Gateways for Environmental Light to the Substantia Nigra: Relevance in Parkinson’s Disease. The Scientific World Journal No. 2014 (2014), pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1049203
American Medical Association (AMA)
Romeo, Stefania& Di Camillo, Daniela& Splendiani, Alessandra& Capannolo, Marta& Rocchi, Cristina& Aloisi, Gabriella…[et al.]. Eyes as Gateways for Environmental Light to the Substantia Nigra: Relevance in Parkinson’s Disease. The Scientific World Journal. 2014. Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1049203
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1049203