Nighttime light changes memory area gene activity and causes depression-like behavior in daytime-active crows

Dim light at night (6 lux) altered activity patterns, reduced sleep, and induced depressive-like responses in Indian house crows.

• Exposure to dim light at night led to decreased eating, self-grooming, and increased self-mutilation.
• A return to absolute darkness reversed these negative effects on behavior.
• Dim light at night suppressed nocturnal melatonin levels without affecting diurnal corticosterone levels.
• Reduced levels of proteins associated with neurogenesis and neuronal health were observed in the hippocampus.
• Gene expression linked to depressive-like responses was negatively impacted, while genes associated with neuronal plasticity remained unaffected.
• Epigenetic changes in the bdnf gene were indicated by decreased histone H3 acetylation and increased expression of hdac4.

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