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Effects of light treatment upon mood and melatonin in patients with seasonal affective disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

F. Winton ,
T. Corn ,
L. W. Huson ,
C. Franey ,
J. Arendt  and
S. A. Checkley
F. Winton
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London and University of Surrey
T. Corn
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London and University of Surrey
L. W. Huson
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London and University of Surrey
C. Franey
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London and University of Surrey
J. Arendt
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London and University of Surrey
S. A. Checkley*
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London and University of Surrey
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr Stuart Checkley, Institute of Psychiatry, DeCrespigny Park, London SE5 8AF.
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Synopsis

Ten patients with seasonal affective disorder received the following treatments for 5 days each: (a) artificial daylight (2500 lux) from 20.00 to 23.00 and from 07.00 to 10.00 hours; (b) red light (300 lux) from 20.00 to 23.00 and from 07.00 to 10.00 hours; (c) artificial daylight (2500 lux) from 22.00 to 23.00 and from 07.00 to 08.00 hours. The antidepressant effect of treatment (a) was superior to that of treatment (b), suggesting that the effect of light treatment in winter depression is more than that of a placebo. The antidepressant effect of treatment (a) was superior to that of treatment (c), although these two treatments equally suppressed plasma melatonin concentrations. Consequently, in these patients there is a dissociation between the effect of light treatment on melatonin and the reduction of depression ratings.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 19 , Issue 3 , August 1989 , pp. 585 - 590
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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