Link to the University of Pittsburgh Homepage
Link to the University Library System Homepage Link to the Contact Us Form

Melanopsin, photosensitive ganglion cells, and seasonal affective disorder

Roecklein, KA and Wong, PM and Miller, MA and Donofry, SD and Kamarck, ML and Brainard, GC (2013) Melanopsin, photosensitive ganglion cells, and seasonal affective disorder. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 37 (3). 229 - 239. ISSN 0149-7634

[img] Plain Text (licence)
Available under License : See the attached license file.

Download (1kB)

Abstract

In two recent reports, melanopsin gene variations were associated with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and in changes in the timing of sleep and activity in healthy individuals. New studies have deepened our understanding of the retinohypothalamic tract, which translates environmental light received by the retina into neural signals sent to a set of nonvisual nuclei in the brain that are responsible for functions other than sight including circadian, neuroendocrine and neurobehavioral regulation. Because this pathway mediates seasonal changes in physiology, behavior, and mood, individual variations in the pathway may explain why approximately 1-2% of the North American population develops mood disorders with a seasonal pattern (i.e., Major Depressive and Bipolar Disorders with a seasonal pattern, also known as seasonal affective disorder/SAD). Components of depression including mood changes, sleep patterns, appetite, and cognitive performance can be affected by the biological and behavioral responses to light. Specifically, variations in the gene sequence for the retinal photopigment, melanopsin, may be responsible for significant increased risk for mood disorders with a seasonal pattern, and may do so by leading to changes in activity and sleep timing in winter. The retinal sensitivity of SAD is hypothesized to be decreased compared to controls, and that further decrements in winter light levels may combine to trigger depression in winter. Here we outline steps for new research to address the possible role of melanopsin in seasonal affective disorder including chromatic pupillometry designed to measure the sensitivity of melanopsin containing retinal ganglion cells. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.


Share

Citation/Export:
Social Networking:
Share |

Details

Item Type: Article
Status: Published
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Roecklein, KAkroeck@pitt.eduKROECK
Wong, PM
Miller, MA
Donofry, SDsdd14@pitt.eduSDD140000-0002-7394-1384
Kamarck, ML
Brainard, GC
Date: 1 March 2013
Date Type: Publication
Journal or Publication Title: Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
Volume: 37
Number: 3
Page Range: 229 - 239
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.12.009
Schools and Programs: Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Psychology
Refereed: Yes
ISSN: 0149-7634
Article Type: Review
Date Deposited: 03 May 2013 15:51
Last Modified: 14 Sep 2020 14:55
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/18647

Metrics

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Altmetric.com


Actions (login required)

View Item View Item