Effects of a constant light environment on hippocampal neurogenesis and memory in mice
Abstract
Because the environmental light-dark cycle is a key factor involved in modulating circadian rhythm in mammals, disruption of cyclic light conditions has a variety of effects on physiology and behavior. In the hippocampus, neurogenesis, which continues to occur throughout life, has been reported to exhibit circadian variation under cyclic light-dark conditions. In the present study, we examined whether a constant light environment affected hippocampal neurogenesis in mice. Half of the animals were exposed to continuous light conditions (L/L group), while the other half remained under normal cyclic light-dark conditions (L/D group). In the L/L group, the number of BrdU-labeled cells (proliferating cells) and that of BrdU and class III β-tubulin double-labeled cells (newborn neurons) in the granule cell layer were significantly decreased compared with the L/D group. Because hippocampal neurogenesis is involved in memory and learning, we also investigated the effects on performance in water maze tasks to assess spatial learning. Exposure to L/L treatment for 3 weeks impaired spatial learning task performance, although there was no difference in the open field behaviors between the groups. These findings demonstrate that the constant light conditions impaired hippocampal neurogenesis as well as cognitive performance, and suggest an important role for the cyclic light-dark environment in appropriate maintenance of the hippocampal system.
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Exposing pregnant mice and rats to constant light produces mixed results in learning tasks and associated hippocampal functions.
“In previous studies, exposing pregnant mice and rats to constant light produced lasting increases in anxiety-like behavior13–15, with mixed results in learning tasks14–16 and associated hippocampal functions15, 16.”
From Maternal and Early-Life Circadian Disruption Have Long-Lasting Negative Consequences on Offspring Development and Adult Behavior in Mice (2017) · cites this paper as [16]
Other studies have found learning deficits following gestation under constant light.
“Other studies have found learning deficits following gestation under constant light15, 16.”
From Maternal and Early-Life Circadian Disruption Have Long-Lasting Negative Consequences on Offspring Development and Adult Behavior in Mice (2017) · cites this paper as [16]
In these cases, testing was conducted at variable times of day.
“In these cases, testing was conducted at variable times of day.”
From Maternal and Early-Life Circadian Disruption Have Long-Lasting Negative Consequences on Offspring Development and Adult Behavior in Mice (2017) · cites this paper as [16]
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- Authors
- Fujioka, A., Fujioka, T., Tsuruta, R., Izumi, T., Kasaoka, S., & Maekawa, T.
- Affiliations
- Yamaguchi University (JP)
- Corresponding author
- Fujioka, Aya
- Fujioka, Takashi
- ORCID
- Tsuruta, Ryosuke
- Venue
- Neuroscience Letters
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2011-01
- Volume
- 488
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 41-44
- ISSN
- 0304-3940 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1976162844
- Cited by
- 97
- References
- 31
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 1.21
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Neuroscience Letters (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture of Japan
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
- Keywords
- constant light, hippocampal neurogenesis, circadian rhythm, light-dark cycle, spatial learning, memory impairment, BrdU labeling, TUBB3, granular layer, newborn neurons, water maze
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Bromodeoxyuridine, Exploratory Behavior, Light, Male, Memory, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Neurons, Time Factors, Tubulin, Maze Learning, Dentate Gyrus, Mice, Neurogenesis
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