Bright versus dim ambient light affects subjective well-being but not serotonin-related biological factors

Abstract Light falling on the retina is converted into an electrical signal which stimulates serotonin synthesis. Previous studies described an increase of plasma and CNS serotonin levels after bright light exposure. Ghrelin and leptin are peptide hormones which are involved in the regulation of hun...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychiatry research 2015-10, Vol.229 (3), p.1011-1016
Main Authors: Stemer, Bettina, Melmer, Andreas, Fuchs, Dietmar, Ebenbichler, Christoph, Kemmler, Georg, Deisenhammer, Eberhard A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological - physiology
Adolescent
Adult
Biomarkers - blood
Cross-Over Studies
Ghrelin
Ghrelin - blood
Healthy Volunteers
Humans
Hunger - physiology
Immunological factors
Leptin
Leptin - blood
Light
Lighting - adverse effects
Male
Psychiatry
Serotonin
Serotonin - blood
Time Factors
Tryptophan - blood
Young Adult
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Summary:Abstract Light falling on the retina is converted into an electrical signal which stimulates serotonin synthesis. Previous studies described an increase of plasma and CNS serotonin levels after bright light exposure. Ghrelin and leptin are peptide hormones which are involved in the regulation of hunger/satiety and are related to serotonin. Neopterin and kynurenine are immunological markers which are also linked to serotonin biosynthesis. In this study, 29 healthy male volunteers were exposed to bright (5000 lx) and dim (50 lx) light conditions for 120 min in a cross-over manner. Subjective well-being and hunger as well as various serotonin associated plasma factors were assessed before and after light exposure. Subjective well-being showed a small increase under bright light and a small decrease under dim light, resulting in a significant interaction between light condition and time. Ghrelin concentrations increased significantly under both light conditions, but there was no interaction between light and time. Correspondingly, leptin decreased significantly under both light conditions. Hunger increased significantly with no light–time interaction. We also found a significant decrease of neopterin, tryptophan and tyrosine levels, but no interaction between light and time. In conclusion, ambient light was affecting subjective well-being rather than serotonin associated biological factors.
ISSN:0165-1781
1872-7123
DOI:10.1016/j.psychres.2015.05.068