Seasonal Affective Disorder Research Articles

The role of retinal irradiance estimates in melanopsin-driven retinal responsivity: a reanalysis of the post-illumination pupil response in seasonal affective disorder.

To isolate melanopsin contributions to retinal sensitivity measured by the post-illumination pupil response (PIPR), controlling for individual differences in non-melanopsin contributions including retinal irradiance is required. When methodologies to negate such differences present barriers, statistical controls have included age, baseline diameter, iris pigmentation, and circadian time of testing. Alternatively, the pupil light reflex (PLR) and calculations estimating retinal irradiance both reflect retinal irradiance, while the PLR also reflects downstream pathways. We reanalyzed data from an observational, correlational study comparing the PIPR across seasons in seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and controls. The PIPR was measured in 47 adults in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (25 SAD) over 50 seconds after 1 second of red and blue stimuli of 15.3 log photons/cm2/s. The PLR was within 1 second while PIPR was averaged over 10-40 seconds post-stimulus. Two raters ranked iris pigmentation using a published scale. We evaluated model fit using Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC) across different covariate sets. The best-fitting models included either estimated retinal irradiance or PLR, and circadian time of testing. The PLR is collected contemporaneously in PIPR studies and is an individually specific measure of nonspecific effects, while being minimally burdensome. This work extends the prior publication by introducing theoretically grounded covariates that improved analytic model fits based on AIC specific to the present methods and sample. Such quantitative methods could be helpful in studies which must balance participant and researcher burden against tighter methodological controls of individual differences in retinal irradiance.

Evaluating the Potential of Green Light Exposure on Nociception-A Mini Review.

The capacity of animals to react to unpleasant stimuli that might endanger their integrity is known as nociception. Pharmacological treatments do not show satisfactory results in response to nociception. In the recent era, light therapy emerged as a potential non-pharmacological approach for treating various diseases, including seasonal affective disorders, migraine, pain, and others. Evaluating the potential of green light exposure on nociception involves studying its effects on different types of pain and pain-related conditions and determining the optimal exposure methods. This review provides the beneficial effects of green light on the reduction in the frequency of pain. The green light exposure on nociception changes the activity of pain-related genes and proteins in cells. This review could provide insights into the underlying mechanisms by which green light modulates pain. Overall, evaluating the potential of green light exposure on nociception requires a multidisciplinary approach and should consider the safety, efficacy, optimal dose, and duration of green light exposure and the type of pain. However, few studies have been reported so far; therefore, light therapy for treating migraines require more studies on animal models to provide precise results of light effects on nociception.

Trading Activity in the Corporate Bond Market: A SAD Tale of Macro-Announcements and Behavioral Seasonality?

This study investigates the determinants of trading activity in the U.S. corporate bond market, focusing on the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and macroeconomic announcements. Employing the General-to-Specific (Gets) Autometrics methodology, we identify distinct behavioral responses between retail and institutional investors to SAD, noting a significant impact on retail trading volumes but not on institutional trading or bond returns. This discovery extends the understanding of behavioral finance within the context of bond markets, diverging from established findings in equity and Treasury markets. Additionally, our analysis delineates the influence of macroeconomic announcements on trading activities, offering new insights into the market’s reaction to economic news. This study’s findings contribute to the broader literature on market microstructure and behavioral finance, providing empirical evidence on the interplay between psychological factors and macroeconomic information flow within corporate bond markets. By addressing these specific aspects with rigorous econometric techniques, our research enhances the comprehension of trading dynamics in less transparent markets, offering valuable perspectives for academics, investors, risk managers, and policymakers.

In a positive light? experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and the promise of biosolidarity

ABSTRACT This paper explores Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) as an idiopathic and idiographic phenomenon in a discussion about (low) light and social relations. Tracing a history of unsuccessful biosociality around SAD via archived and contemporary testimony, the paper uses narrative responses from a recent qualitative survey to explore how and why winter depression might be a difficult experience around which to form community. With brief reflections on a series of public workshops led by the research team in Scotland, we suggest that social and cultural geographies of creative practice are one vehicle for fostering new kinds of environmental biosolidarities, arguably rendered essential in the face of uncertain climatic futures that threaten increasingly disruptive light-mental health relations. More broadly, we discuss our contributions to human geographies of light-dark relations, SAD and biosociality. We conclude the paper with a call for more nuanced account of social, cultural, and emotional geographies of environmental illness.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

It is common for people to experience brief episodes of sadness or feeling unlike themselves. Such mood swings may persist with changing seasons, become more severe, and impact a person's feelings, thoughts, and actions. Although the leading cause of it is unclear, Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a common mood disorder that people face in winter months due to the brain chemistry reactions to reduced sunlight and shorter days (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2021). As students of Boston University’s (BU) Graphic Medicine Club (GMC), we wanted to find ways to improve health literacy amongst BU students and provide the necessary health resources to help students. Two content creators of GMC worked together to create this comic and split the task of typography and illustration. This comic utilizes visuals and text to explain the common symptoms and treatment methods for SAD. Through our work at the intersection of art and medicine, we hope to offer a creative avenue for conversations about health topics such as SAD and provide informative narratives to others.

Effect of Light Therapy on Reducing Depressive Symptoms in Seasonal Affective Disorder Sufferers

Effect of Light Therapy on Reducing Depressive Symptoms in Seasonal Affective Disorder Sufferers

Lifestyle modification as intervention for seasonal affective disorder: A systematic review

Bright light therapy (BLT) and pharmacological therapies currently represent the first line treatments for patients with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Lifestyle modifications offer a diverse field of additional intervention options. Since it is unclear, if lifestyle modifications are effective in SAD patients, this systematic review aims to synthesize the current evidence on their effectiveness and safety.We systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing lifestyle modifications (nutrition, exercise, staying outdoors, sleep, social aspects, mindfulness methods) in SAD patients. We defined the primary outcome as the post-therapeutic extent of depressive symptoms, measured by validated psychiatric symptom scales. Due to the insufficient number of studies and the high heterogeneity of the interventions we were not able to calculate a meta-analysis.We identified 6 studies from the following areas of lifestyle modification: diet, exercise, staying outdoors, sleep and music therapy. All studies showed improvements of depression scores in the intervention as well as in the control groups. The risk of bias was rated as high for all studies and the certainty of evidence was rated as very low.The results point towards the possible effectiveness of the interventions examined, but due to the small number of studies found, too small sample sizes and methodological limitations, we cannot draw a valid conclusion about the effectiveness of lifestyle-modifying measures in SAD patients. Larger, high-quality RCTs are needed to make evidence-based recommendations and thus to expand the range of therapeutic options for SAD.

The peak of the ‘Blue Monday’ depression and winter blues.

IntroductionFor many people, January is the most depressing month of the year. “Blue Monday” encompasses the generally accepted belief that Monday is the hardest day of the week compared to Friday and Saturday, which are the most anticipated days of the week. The connection between the color blue and Monday is in the emotional stage, which is presented as emotional anger. The third Monday in January is currently known as the most depressing day of the year. Speaker Cliff Arnall was the first to declare that day in 2014. The theory says that this is the time of the year when respiratory diseases are common, the day is shorter, the weather conditions are worse, and the time when people are burdened with guilt about whether they will achieve their New Year’s resolutions.ObjectivesThe aim of this work was to investigate that on third Monday in January there were more suicide attempts and that there were more depressive disorders in emergency psychiatric admissions.Methods In the research, we included participants who were examined at the Emergency Psychiatric Admission of the Clinical Hospital Center in Split, in the period from 2019. until 2023. Inclusion criteria were respondents of both sexes, examined in the outpatient clinic on Mondays in January for five years.ResultsThere were 198 of them in total. The primary outcome of the research is to determine the occurrence (incidence) of psychological deterioration in patients diagnosed with the anxiety-depressive spectrum. The secondary research outcomes are of a descriptive nature, patient follow-up, examination outcome, and psychiatric heredity.ConclusionsFor now, there are no strong scientific foundations that justify the formula of “the most depressing day” of the year, some scientists believe that it is a marketing trick to achieve higher tourist revenues. However, the post-holiday period can have an impact on individuals.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Seasonal Affective Disorder: A Narrative Review

This narrative review of research includes summaries of 46 papers on seasonal affective disorder that were published during the period 2019-2023. The publications are primarily cross-sectional studies of risk factors, randomized controlled trials for light therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy and systematic reviews. A few of the papers are focused on the prevalence of seasonal affective disorder which has varied by latitudes and climates from 3% in Saudi Arabia to 21% in Norway, suggesting length of day and sunlight effects. Only a few studies focused on the negative effects of seasonal affective disorder including sleep problems, depression and poor performance on memory tasks. Most of the research has addressed risk factors for developing seasonal affective disorder including younger age, female gender, dependent personality, seasonal beliefs, chronotype (eveningness), inactivity, insomnia and depression. Very few potential underlying mechanism studies appeared in this literature with the exception of MRI studies suggesting reduced brainstem volume. In contrast, many intervention studies were published recently including light therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Methodological problems relate to the variability in the assessments of seasonal affective disorder, the reliance on self-report measures and the cross-sectional data that are not definitive about directionality of predictors and effects of seasonal affective disorder.

Effects of age and sex on photoperiod modulation of nucleus accumbens monoamine content and release in adolescence and adulthood

Day length, or photoperiod, is a reliable environmental cue encoded by the brain's circadian clock that indicates changing seasons and induces seasonal biological processes. In humans, photoperiod, age, and sex have been linked to seasonality in neuropsychiatric disorders, as seen in Seasonal Affective Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder. The nucleus accumbens is a key locus for the regulation of motivated behaviors and neuropsychiatric disorders. Using periadolescent and young adult male and female mice, here we assessed photoperiod's effect on serotonin and dopamine tissue content in the nucleus accumbens core, as well as on accumbal synaptic dopamine release and uptake. We found greater serotonin and dopamine tissue content in the nucleus accumbens from young adult mice raised in a Short winter-like photoperiod. In addition, dopamine release and clearance were greater in the nucleus accumbens from young adult mice raised in a Long summer-like photoperiod. Importantly, we found that photoperiod's effects on accumbal dopamine tissue content and release were sex-specific to young adult females. These findings support that in mice there are interactions across age, sex, and photoperiod that impact critical monoamine neuromodulators in the nucleus accumbens which may provide mechanistic insight into the age and sex dependencies in seasonality of neuropsychiatric disorders in humans.

Multidimensional assessment of adverse events of bupropion: A large-scale data analysis from the FAERS database

ObjectiveBupropion, a monocyclic antidepressant, aids in smoking cessation, treats major depression, and prevents severe depression in seasonal affective disorder patients. Yet, its adverse reactions remain insufficiently studied. MethodsAll data from the raw data packages for 78 quarters from the 1st quarter of 2004 to the 2nd quarter of 2023 were extracted from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database and imported into the SAS9.4 software for data cleaning and analysis. The Reporting Odds Ratio (ROR), Proportional Reporting Ratio (PRR), Bayesian Confidence Propagation Neural Network (BCPNN), and Multi-item Gamma Poisson Shrinker (MGPS) methods were used to analyze drug adverse events and assess their compliance with various screening criteria. ResultsThe results showed a total of 36,862 reports related to Bupropion use, identifying 364 positive reaction terms (PT) covering 23 System Organ Classes (SOCs). In addition to known side effects, some new potential adverse reactions were found, such as Stool analysis abnormal, Oculocephalogyric reflex absent, Suspected suicide, and so on. At the same time, reactions like Encephalopathy neonatal, Hyponatraemic coma, and Electrocardiogram QRS complex prolonged were prominently ranked. Notably, occurrences such as Urine amphetamine positive and Amphetamines positive were relatively high, suggesting extra caution for these potential adverse reactions during clinical use of Bupropion. ConclusionThese findings highlight the potential health risks of long-term Bupropion use, especially concerning efficacy, positive drug tests, and suicidal tendencies. Therefore, it is recommended to monitor and assess patients using Bupropion more stringently to use this therapeutically potential drug more safely and effectively.

Bright daylight produces negative effects on affective and cognitive outcomes in nocturnal rats

The daily light/dark cycle affects animals' learning, memory, and cognition. Exposure to insufficient daylight illumination negatively impacts emotion and cognition, leading to seasonal affective disorder characterized by depression, anxiety, low motivation, and cognitive impairment in diurnal animals. However, how this affects memory, learning, and cognition in nocturnal rodents is largely unknown. Here, we studied the effect of daytime light illuminance on memory, learning, cognition, and expression of mRNA levels in the hippocampus, thalamus, and cortex, the higher-order learning centers. Two experiments were performed. In experiment one, rats were exposed to 12 L:12D (12 h light and 12 h dark) with a 10, 100, or 1000 lx daytime light illuminance. After 30 days, various behavioral tests (novel object recognition test, hole board test, elevated plus maze test, radial arm maze, and passive avoidance test) were performed. In experiment 2, rats since birth were raised either under constant bright light (250 lx; LL) or a daily light-dark cycle (12 L:12D). After four months, behavioral tests (novel object recognition test, hole board test, elevated plus maze test, radial arm maze, passive avoidance test, Morris water maze, and Y-maze tests) were performed. At the end of experiments, rats were sampled, and mRNA expression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (Bdnf), Tyrosine kinase (Trk), microRNA132 (miR132), Neurogranin (Ng), Growth Associated Protein 43 (Gap-43), cAMP Response Element-Binding Protein (Crebp), Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (Gsk3β), and Tumour necrosis factor-α (Tnf-α) were measured in the hippocampus, cortex, and thalamus of individual rats. Our results show that exposure to bright daylight (100 and 1000 lx; experiment 1) or constant light (experiment 2) compromises memory, learning, and cognition. Suppressed expression levels of these mRNA were also observed in the hypothalamus, cortex, and thalamus. These results suggest that light affects differently to different groups of animals.

MOOD SWINGS AND THE FIRM SIZE PREMIUM

Evidence accumulated in the literature indicates that the size effect is related to corporate and macroeconomic variables and is paid to compensate for bearing risk. We show that the size premium is also driven by daily variations in investors’ moods. We focus on two conditions often cited as possible mechanisms that drive variations in mood: Monday and seasonal affective disorder. The findings are consistent with the evidence that mood deteriorates on Mondays and in the fall and are consistent with the claim that the size effect manifests during economic expansion but weakens in the contraction phase of the economic cycle.

Replicating the Bright-Light Therapy of Seasonal Affective Disorder Using Dual-Gate Dielectric Synaptic Transistors: An Exploration of Neuromorphic Computing Approaches

Replicating the Bright-Light Therapy of Seasonal Affective Disorder Using Dual-Gate Dielectric Synaptic Transistors: An Exploration of Neuromorphic Computing Approaches

Effect of Short Photoperiod on Behavior and Brain Plasticity in Mice Differing in Predisposition to Catalepsy: The Role of BDNF and Serotonin System.

Seasonal affective disorder is characterized by depression during fall/winter as a result of shorter daylight. Catalepsy is a syndrome of some grave mental diseases. Both the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are involved in the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying catalepsy and depressive disorders. The aim was to compare the response of behavior and brain plasticity to photoperiod alterations in catalepsy-resistant C57BL/6J and catalepsy-prone CBA/Lac male mice. Mice of both strains were exposed for six weeks to standard-day (14 h light/10 h darkness) or short-day (4 h light/20 h darkness) conditions. Short photoperiod increased depressive-like behavior in both strains. Only treated CBA/Lac mice demonstrated increased cataleptic immobility, decreased brain 5-HT level, and the expression of Tph2 gene encoding the key enzyme for 5-HT biosynthesis. Mice of both strains maintained under short-day conditions, compared to those under standard-day conditions, showed a region-specific decrease in the brain transcription of the Htr1a, Htr4, and Htr7 genes. After a short photoperiod exposure, the mRNA levels of the BDNF-related genes were reduced in CBA/Lac mice and were increased in the C57BL/6J mice. Thus, the predisposition to catalepsy considerably influences the photoperiodic changes in neuroplasticity, wherein both C57BL/6J and CBA/Lac mice can serve as a powerful tool for investigating the link between seasons and mood.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE LEVEL OF DEPRESSION AMONG THE ELDERLY LIVING IN OLD AGE HOMES AND COMMUNITY, PUDUCHERRY

Depression is a state of mental illness. It is characterized by deep, long lasting feelings of sadness or despair. Depression can change an individual’s thinking/feelings and also affects his/her social behaviour and sense of physical well-being. It can affect people of any age group, including young children and teens. It can run in families and usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30 years. Women and elderly people are more commonly affected than men. There are several types of depression such as major depression it is a change in mood that lasts for weeks or months. It is one of the most severe types of depression. Dysthymia is a less severe form of depression but usually lasts for several years. Psychotic depression a severe form of depression associated with hallucinations and delusions .Seasonal depression, occurring only at certain time of the year usually winter, also known as winter blues’. Some of the common factors that may cause depression are genetics , trauma and high levels of stress, mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and substance abuse, postpartum depression (women may develop depression after the birth of the baby), serious medical conditions such as heart disease, cancer and HIV, use of certain medications, alcohol and drug abuse, individuals with low self-esteem, trauma and high levels of stress due to financial problems, breakup of a relationship or loss of a loved one. The signs and symptoms of depression include feeling of sadness and loneliness, loss of interest in activities once found enjoyable, feeling of hopelessness, worthlessness or excessive guilt, fatigue or loss of energy, sleeping too little or too much, loss of appetite, restlessness and being easily annoyed. Diagnose the depression based on the detailed history and sign and symptoms of the individual. Laboratory tests such as blood tests to screen for alcohol/drugs in blood. Psychological evaluation of the individual’s thoughts, feelings and behaviour patterns. The most common treatments of depression are Counselling & Psychotherapy, Medication, Electro convulsive therapy. Medications such as anti-depressants are given to help balance chemicals in the brain known as ‘neuro transmitters’. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is carried out in case the treatment with other therapies such as medications has failed. Preventive measures include regular exercise, healthy diet and stable relationships. Statement Of The Problem: A comparative study to assess the level of depression among the elderly living in old age homes and community, Puducherry’’. Objectives: To assess the level of depression among the elderly. • To compare the level of depression among elderly residing in old age home and those living in community. • To associate the level of depression among elderly with their selected demographic variables. Materials and Methods: The investigator obtained formal permission from Hospital authority and Institutional Ethical Committee of Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital. The study was conducted at help age India old age home and thirubhuvanai community area, Puducherry. The period of data collection was four weeks .The study was conducted quantitative research approach ,descriptive research design and convenient sampling technique was used to select the sample .The sample size was 60 elderly depression patient, 30 were inmates of old age home and 30 were living in community. The investigator explained the procedure to the clients and assessed level of depression among elderly people’s. After obtaining oral consent primarily the demographic data was obtained from the samples. Standardized Hamilton depression rating scale prepared by the investigator was used to assess the level of depression among the elderly living in old age homes and community. This scale consists of 17 items. The data variables were collected from the elderly residing at help age India and thirubhuvanai community area .This was continued for 15-20 minutes in a day. Sample is reassessed to analyze the intervention on depression. Data analysis was done using descriptive and statistical analysis. Result: The findings shows that, the mean score of the level of depression among the elderly living in the old age homes was 16.47 ± 4.637 and the community was 12.73 ± 6.341.The calculated independent ‘t’ test value of t = -2.603 shows statistically significant difference between Comparison between the level of depression among the elderly living in old age homes and community respectively. Conclusion: Out of 60 samples in Frequency and percentage wise distribution of level of depression among the elderly living in old age homes and community .In old age homes, Majority of the elderly10 (33.3%) had moderate level of depression, 9 (30%) had severe level of depression, 8 (26.7%) had mild level of depression, 2 (6.7%) had extremely severe level of depression and 1 (3.3%) had normal level.

Death and Dying: Grapevine Survival, Cold Hardiness, and BLUPs and Winter BLUEs in North Dakota Vineyards.

A total of fourteen diverse, interspecific hybrid grapevines (Vitis spp.) were evaluated for their adaptability to North Dakota winter conditions using differential thermal analysis (DTA) of low-temperature exotherms (LTE) and bud cross-sectional assessment of survival techniques. This research was conducted in two vineyard locations in eastern North Dakota. This work demonstrates the use of DTA for monitoring and selecting cultivars capable of withstanding sub-zero temperatures. These results were assessed for quantitative genetic traits. High heritability was observed for bud LTE traits and may thus be a useful target for cold hardiness breeding programs; however, it is necessary to ensure that variance is reduced when pooling multiple sample events. After DTA sampling, grapevines were assessed for survival of primary and secondary dormant buds using cross-sectional visual evaluation of death. 'Valiant' had the greatest primary bud survival (68%), followed by 'Frontenac gris', 'Crimson Pearl', and 'King of the North'. These varieties are among those with potential for production in eastern North Dakota's environment. The newly evaluated relationships between traits and the heritability of DTA results provide valuable tools to grapevine breeders for the development of cold-tolerant genotypes for future climatic challenges.

“I Would Rather Lose Everything Else I Possess”: Love of Nature and L.M. Montgomery’s Intuitive Wellness Strategies, 1901-11

L.M. Montgomery’s use of “rambles” to de-escalate depressive episodes and restore her mental wellness is well documented in the entries she made in her PEI journals while living in Cavendish and Halifax from 1901 to 1911. Modern-day research on forest bathing and seasonal affective disorder provides scientific explanations for why the time Montgomery spent in nature may have boosted her mental health during a pivotal period in her career, particularly during the winter of 1905 to 1906, when she was composing Anne of Green Gables.

The Effect of Seasonal Depression on Stock Market Returns

The study analyses the statistical relationship between the degree of seasonal depression and stock index returns. For this analysis, we examine the daily returns of two US and five European stock indices using OLS regression. The analysis found a statistically significant relationship between seasonal depression and the change in returns. However, due to the limited use of the reduced form, this only confirms the link between seasonal depression and returns, and further observations would be required to confirm a causal relationship.

The Risk for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) on Perceptions of Stress and Mental Health in Canadian University Students

The Risk for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) on Perceptions of Stress and Mental Health in Canadian University Students