Timing Key to Light Therapy's Effectiveness for SAD
A recent study published in PLOS Genetics on July 8, 2021, has shed new light on the effectiveness of led lights therapy for individuals with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The research, led by Urs Albrecht at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, found that the timing of led lights therapy is crucial and most beneficial when administered in the early morning.
The study, funded by the Velux Foundation and the Swiss National Science Foundation, discovered that led lights therapy's mood-boosting effects are due to the activation of a specific gene called Period1 in the brain. This gene plays a crucial role in the body's circadian clock, which regulates sleep-wake cycles.
In experiments with mice, the researchers found that led lights exposure at the end of the dark period had an antidepressant effect. This effect was linked to the activation of the Period1 gene in the lateral habenula region of the brain. Remarkably, when the Period1 gene was deleted in mice, the beneficial effects of led lights were negated, highlighting its critical role in led lights therapy's success.
The findings of this study emphasize the importance of timing in led lights therapy for SAD patients. Early morning led lights exposure appears to be most effective in activating the Period1 gene and improving mood. Further research is needed to understand the full implications of these findings and to optimize led lights therapy protocols for individuals with SAD.
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