Seasonal variation in human executive brain responses

It is well established that cognition shows daily fluctuations with changes in circadian phase and sleep pressure. The physiological impact of season changes, which is well characterized in animals, remains largely unexplored in human. Here we investigated the impact of seasonal variation on human cognitive brain function. This cross-sectional study,conducted in Liège (Belgium),spanned from May 2010 to October 2011. Following 8h in-lab baseline night of sleep, 30 volunteers (age 20.9+1.5; 15F)spent 42h awake under constant routine conditions(0b).Analysis tested seasonal influence on executive brain responses at the random effects level, using a phasoranalysis across the year.Inferences were conducted at p