Improved cognitive functions and behavioural response after exposure to low-level near-infrared laser in snails (Ariophanta laevipes)

Abstract

Terrestrial pulmonates possess photosensitive neurons in their brain that may possibly influence several cognitive functions and therefore can be apt to study the effect of light on cognition and behavioural response. In this paper, we report results from cognition based T-maze studies on pulmonate snail, Ariophanta laevipes. Cognitive abilities of the snails were established as, time taken to complete the maze pre and post subjection of the brain to low level near-infrared laser for a period of 5 and 10 days. A significant change in the cognitive abilities and behaviour was observed in snails exposed for 5 days to low level near –infrared laser at a wavelength of 650 + 10 nm, in comparison to the control and experimental groups. The results of the studies confirmed that low level light at near infrared wavelengths plays an important role in cognition abilities like memory-formation/retention and learning.