Huang Xiaodan, Tao Qian, Ren Chaoran
Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
Psychology Department, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
Neurosci Bull. 2024 Mar;40(3):350-362. doi: 10.1007/s12264-023-01089-8. Epub 2023 Aug 9.
Light is a powerful environmental factor influencing diverse brain functions. Clinical evidence supports the beneficial effect of light therapy on several diseases, including depression, cognitive dysfunction, chronic pain, and sleep disorders. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the effects of light therapy are still not well understood. In this review, we critically evaluate current clinical evidence showing the beneficial effects of light therapy on diseases. In addition, we introduce the research progress regarding the neural circuit mechanisms underlying the modulatory effects of light on brain functions, including mood, memory, pain perception, sleep, circadian rhythm, brain development, and metabolism.
光是一种强大的环境因素，影响着多种脑功能。临床证据支持光疗法对包括抑郁症、认知功能障碍、慢性疼痛和睡眠障碍在内的多种疾病具有有益作用。然而，光疗法作用的精确机制仍未得到充分理解。在本综述中，我们批判性地评估了显示光疗法对疾病有益作用的当前临床证据。此外，我们介绍了关于光对脑功能（包括情绪、记忆、疼痛感知、睡眠、昼夜节律、脑发育和新陈代谢）调节作用的神经回路机制的研究进展。
