Figure 1. Red light exposure induces cognitive impairment in both non-LPS-treated and LPS-treated mice. (A, B) Treatment schedule. Mice were treated with or without LPS (20 mg/kg) and then exposed to light for 7 days. Non-LPS-treated mice and LPS-treated mice were scheduled for open field and Y maze tests on day 8 and a NORT on day 11. (C) Survival curves (n = 20/group). The survival rate did not significantly differ among groups exposed to red, green or ambient white light for 7 days after administration of LPS (10 or 20 mg/kg). (D–I) Red light exposure impaired spatial learning and memory and induced anxiety-like behavior as compared to ambient white or green light. This is evidenced by the reduced frequency of entering the novel arm (D) and the reduced time spent in the novel arm (E) in the Y maze test, the reduced time spent in the center (F) and the reduced freezing time (G) in the open field test, and the reduced time exploring the novel object (H, I) in the NORT. Data are shown as the mean ± SEM (n = 6-8/group). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, #P < 0.05, ##P < 0.01.