Mood variation under dual regulation of circadian clock and light

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ABSTRACT The intricate relationship between circadian rhythms and mood is well-established. Disturbances in circadian rhythms and sleep often precede the development of mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BD), and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Two primary factors, intrinsic circadian clocks and light, drive the natural fluctuations in mood throughout the day, mirroring the patterns of sleepiness and wakefulness. Nearly all organisms possess intrinsic circadian clocks that coordinate daily rhythms, with light serving as the primary environmental cue to synchronize these internal timekeepers with the 24-hour cycle. Additionally, light directly influences mood states. Disruptions to circadian rhythms, such as those caused by jet lag, shift work, or reduced daylight hours, can trigger or exacerbate mood symptoms. The complex and often subtle connections between circadian disruptions and mood dysregulation suggest that focusing solely on individual clock genes is insufficient to fully understand their etiology and progression. Instead, mood instability may arise from systemic misalignments between external cycles and the internal synchronization of circadian clocks. Here, we synthesize past research on the independent contributions of circadian clocks and light to mood regulation, drawing particularly on insights from animal studies that illuminate fundamental mechanisms relevant to human health.