title: Illuminating rationale and uses for light therapy.
abstract: Light therapy is increasingly applied in a variety of sleep medicine and psychiatric conditions including circadian rhythm sleep disorders, seasonal affective disorder, and dementia. This article reviews the neural underpinnings of circadian neurobiology crucial for understanding the influence of light therapy on brain function, common mood and sleep disorders in which light therapy may be effectively used, and applications of light therapy in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Afshin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shirani
authors.forename: Erik K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: St Louis
mesh_terms: D021081:Chronobiology Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D003704:Dementia / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods*; D016574:Seasonal Affective Disorder / Q000628:therapy; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000628:therapy; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000628:therapy