title: Effect of Light and Melatonin and Other Melatonin Receptor Agonists on Human Circadian Physiology.
abstract: Circadian (body clock) timing has a profound influence on mental health, physical health, and health behaviors. This review focuses on how light, melatonin, and other melatonin receptor agonist drugs can be used to shift circadian timing in patients with misaligned circadian rhythms. A brief overview of the human circadian system is provided, followed by a discussion of patient characteristics and safety considerations that can influence the treatment of choice. The important features of light treatment, light avoidance, exogenous melatonin, and other melatonin receptor agonists are reviewed, along with some of the practical aspects of light and melatonin treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hospital and Specialty Medicine, Portland VA Medical Center, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road, P3-PULM, Portland, OR 97239, USA; Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Emens
authors.affiliation: Biological Rhythms Research Laboratory, Department of Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, 1645 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 425, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. Electronic address: Helen_J_Burgess@rush.edu.
authors.forename: Helen J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Burgess
mesh_terms: D002491:Central Nervous System Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008550:Melatonin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D044094:Receptors, Melatonin / Q000819:agonists* / Q000378:metabolism; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D002491:Central Nervous System Agents; D044094:Receptors, Melatonin; D008550:Melatonin
keywords: Advance; Agonist; Circadian; Delay; Light; Melatonin