Open AccessLighting. Nonvisual effects.
Author(s) -
Lennart Wetterberg
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of work, environment and health
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.621
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1795-990X
pISSN - 0355-3140
DOI - 10.5271/sjweh.1817
Subject(s) - melatonin , evening , rhythm , light therapy , chronobiology , circadian rhythm , artificial light , light pollution , latitude , environmental science , biology , medicine , psychology , geography , physics , optics , geodesy , illuminance , astronomy
The rhythmic variations of several hormones in man have been shown to be regulated by changes in the environmental light-dark cycle. In experiments with environmental lighting conditions the seasonal variation and the latitude of the study may influence the results. The nonvisual effect of light has recently been used for treating affective disorders. The clinical improvement of some depressed patients from the use of evening bright-light therapy may be related to an effect of light on the melatonin-rhythm generating system.