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Short-Wavelength Countermeasure for Circadian Desynchrony

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: FA9550-09-C-0116
Agency Tracking Number: F074-015-0066
Amount: $749,704.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: AF07-T015
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2007
Award Year: 2009
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2009-01-22
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2011-01-22
Small Business Information
333 Parkland Plaza Drive Suite 700
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
United States
DUNS: 036950975
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 H. Craig Heller
 Professor
 (650) 723-1509
 hcheller@stanford.edu
Business Contact
 Charles Hixson
Title: President
Phone: (734) 332-3777
Email: carlosdelnorte@sbcglobal.net
Research Institution
 Stanford University
 Csilla Csaplar
 
Office of Sponsored Research 651 Serra Mall
Stanford, CA 94305
United States

 (650) 498-6877
 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

Exposure to light at critical phases of the circadian cycle is the main stimulus that entrains circadian rhythms.  Previous work has concluded that exposure of humans to bright light for an hour or more at the right phase of the circadian cycle produces significant phase shifts of circadian rhythms speeding recovery from jet-lag, and optimizing cognitive functionality and restorative sleep.  Our work on mice produced the unexpected result that exposure to intermittent millisecond flashes of light distributed over an hour for a total of only 120 msec. of light can produce maximum phase shifts.  We have also shown that the effects of light on the circadian system of mice is mediated through a unique photopigment melanopsin, and the properties of this system explain the effectiveness of brief flashes of light as entraining signals. We propose to develop and test a wearable light flash system that will have the ability to phase shift human circadian rhythms and thereby mitigate the consequences of travel across time zones.  This system will be automated to deliver the right stimulus depending on time and location, it will require little power, and it interfere minimally with night vision. BENEFIT: The system that will be developed and tested in this project will make it possible to mitigate circadian rhythm disruptions due to shift work, travel across time zones, and irregular work schedules.  It will be wearable by awake or sleeping individuals, run on AA batteries, and cause minimal impairment of night vision. We also believe that the device will be effective in treating seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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