Evening blue light exposure during adolescence induces avoidance behaviors and rewires medial amygdala circuit.

Abstract

Adolescents are being increasingly exposed to artificial blue light from electronic devices, raising concerns about its effects on brain development and mental health. The medial amygdala (MeA), a brain region critical for emotional regulation, is light-sensitive, yet how evening blue light during puberty influences its circuitry and behavior remains unknown. Using a light cycle disruption paradigm, we found that adolescent mice exposed to evening blue light displayed increased avoidance behaviors compared to those exposed to darkness or reduced blue light conditions. Single-nuclei RNA sequencing revealed altered cell-type composition and disrupted synaptic communication pathways in the MeA. In vivo calcium imaging showed increased activity in MeA somatostatin neurons during avoidance behaviors, while chemogenetic inhibition of these neurons reduced these behaviors. Our findings identify the MeA as a key integrator of emotional responses to environmental blue light, suggesting evening blue light exposure during puberty as a potential risk factor for affective disorders. TeaserEvening blue light exposure during adolescence alters medial amygdala functions, leading to anxiety-like behaviors.