A Source of en-LIGHT-enment

Circadian Rhythm Cells Control Seasonally

If I were a fly, apparently my brain would be entering a phase where my evening cells would be taking over from the so-called morning cells.  The circadian system in flies are made up of two different types of cells that share control over genetic seasonal behavior based on external clues, like how much light there is in a 24-hour range.  Researchers at the National Center for Behavioral Genomics lab led by Michael Rosbash, talked about how the neurons alternate control and how this affects behavior in the flies.

"In this study we show how the 24-hour intrinsic molecular clock can produce a variable output, so that it fits any seasonal condition," said lead author Dan Stoleru. "This is especially exciting because it gives us an understanding of how animals extract vital information from the environment to drive innate behavior such as reproduction, migration or hibernation."

There is speculation that how these neurons interact can give some insight into how the human brain and some mood disorders function, especially SAD and others that have been shown to be driven by body-clocks.

Link: http://www.huliq.com/17697/circadian-neuronal-network-is-seasonal-timing-device

Did you Know How Many Folks Have SAD?

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, nearly 500,000 Americans have winter depression, or Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Well, at least I'm in good company!

Seattleites--You Need More Vitamin D!

"Vitamin D is good for bone health, immune health and cancer prevention," said Kelly Morrow, nutrition instructor at Bastyr University. "But most of the year, we're just not getting enough vitamin D."

Those of us living in Seattle, and apparently anyone living north of the most southerly states doesn't get enough exposure to the sun to make the required amount of Vitamin D. Matter of fact, we don't have enough sun exposure available seven months out of the year in Seattle.   Numerous people try to supplement this via vitamins, and this helps but it looks like the FDA regulations may undergo some serious modification.  Michael Holick, head of the vitamin D research lab at Boston University, said the optimal daily dosage for preventing disease is closer to 1,000 IU.

I take both a multivitamin and Levity vitamins which give me close to 800 IU per day. (when I remember to take them).  A study from 2004 found taking 4,000 IU -- 10 times higher than what it found in most multivitamin supplements -- showed the most benefit.  Vitamin D helps increase the level of serotonin in the brain, which is an essential feel-good chemical.

So, for all those anti-cancer, bone enhancing and multitude of other benefits, make sure you're getting some of that sunshine vitamin in your life!

Link:  http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/307875_vitamind17.html

Mother's Depression Affects Kids

As logical as it may seem, taking care of yourself, especially if you are depressed, may have a profound effect on the children in your care.  A study recently came out that looked at how many children were affected by their mother's depression.  Environmental factors are one source of triggers that can "activate" depression.  A number of children (about 30%) who were diagnosed as having depression at the start of the study were in remission by the end of the three month trial, compared to about 12% of the children of non-depressed mothers.

The article does not directly mention SAD but because depression affects so many women, especially during the winter, this study is a good one to be aware of. Taking care of yourself will help you take care of everyone else.  Aggressive treatment of depression is not something to be afraid or ashamed of, especially if it makes your life better. 

Link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060321/ap_on_he_me/moms_and_depression

SAD Cafe

Today I noticed a posting that the Dana Center, a science center in England had a "SAD CAFE" for three weeks in January.  Apparently, there were three or four light boxes and a couch where visitors could stop on their rounds at the science center and take in some light therapy. 

I checked out their website and no longer list any information about this.  Definitely an interesting idea and something folks in Seattle might benefit from!

Link: http://www.danacentre.org.uk/ http://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/newsdetail.cfm?codeID=13713

Vitamin D: Other Uses Besided Fightign Depression

According to John Cannell, MD, who heads the Vitamin D Council, a group of doctors and researchers who study the effects of this nutrient, "Basically, what vitamin D does is increase levels of the [chemical] serotonin in the brain," he tells WebMD. Many antidepressant medications work the same way.

In addition to helping with depression, check out some of the other new studies on Vitamin D.

More Vitamin D helps your lungs: http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/health/feeds/hscout/2005/12/12/hscout529608.html

Helps fight Diabetes: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1632649.stm

Help Reduce the Risk of Falls in Elderly Folks: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051121/hl_nm/vitamin_d_falls_elderly_dc

Humans May Not Be Alone in Winter Depression

A new study suggests that hamsters may suffer from symptoms of anxiety and depression during the dark days of winter, just as some humans do. The results may provide insight into seasonal affective disorder in humans.

According to a research report out of the University of Ohio, mice seem to show the same types of depression and anxiety that affect some humans during the winter.  It appears that the time of year a mouse is born may affect it's adult tendency towards depression, with mice born with long day light exposure having fewer symptoms of depression.  Mice exposed to short daylight times (approximately 8 hours, like many would face during the winter), tend to be more anxious.  It was noted that no matter which conditions mice were born in, the total length of time they were exposed to light still had a major impact on adult disposition. 

Link: http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/516035/?sc=rsmn

Exercise as an Anti-depressant

Researcher James Blumenthal, professor of medical psychology at Duke University in Durham, N.C., quoted in HealthDay News, said: "What the studies are showing is that exercise ... seems to be at least as effective as standard antidepressant medications in reducing symptoms in patients with major depression.

Right... I knew that.  I need to start exercising more again.  I'm much less inclined to go outside for any extended period of time right now because it keeps raining.  I keep talking myself out of going to exercise, figuring I'll get half way around the lake and it will end up pouring.  Maybe I should just go and take a 15-minute walk right now and I'll be more inclined to work for the rest of the day.

Link: http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051110/COLUMNISTS09/511100321

Bright Light May Affect Other Hormones in Additon to Meletonin

According to researchers in Japan and reported in this month's issue of Cell Press, bright light causes a great deal of other bodily hormone changes in addition to the suppression of melatonin. Most specifically, it affected the release of cortisone which affects many body functions including circadian clock rhythms, anti-inflammatory responses and others.

Glucocorticoids--including cortisone in humans and corticosterone in mice--play many roles throughout the body, including metabolic response to starvation, anti-inflammatory immune response, and the timing of circadian rhythms in peripheral organs. Therefore, light-induced secretion of glucocorticoids may play a key role in physiological changes in the body and the brain evoked by light, reported study author Hitoshi Okamura of Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan.

It will be interesting to see where this goes in a couple of years.

Link: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-11/cp-lhs110305.php

US Senate Gets One Step Closer to Extending Daylight Savings Time

Most everyone has probably already heard that the Energy Bill waiting for President Bush's signature could extend daylight savings time for two months each year, after making it past both the US Senate and the US House.  Further updates will be forthcoming when I have a chance to follow up on the issue.  In the mean time, a link is provided to an L.A. Times article on the matter.

Those of us who suffer from SAD suddenly won't get the extra daylight in the mornings come fall if this goes into effect.

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/la-na-energy21jul21,1,593616.story?coll=la-news-politics-national