(BBSRC DTP) Biological mechanisms underlying the mood-regulating effects of light

One would be hard pushed to find someone who doesn’t tend to feel an uplift in mood when the sun emerges from the clouds. In fact, these mood-enhancing effects are sufficiently powerful that light is now recognised as an effective clinical tool for treating both seasonal and other forms of depression. Unfortunately, at present, the biological mechanisms underlying these mood-enhancing effects of light are very poorly understood. This presents a barrier towards developing more effective treatment strategies and for optimising day to day lighting (e.g. in the home, workplace etc.) so as to enhance our general well-being. The main origin of our current lack of knowledge has been the lack of an appropriate animal model with which to determine the organisation and properties of the retinal and brain circuits involved, since most lab studies to date have focused on the use of nocturnal rodents which are naturally wired to avoid light exposure.

This project now offers a fantastic opportunity to drive a step-change in our understanding of the biological mechanisms via which light influences mood. We have established a colony of day-active rodents (Rhadbomys) which have a human-like visual system and therefore present an ideal translational model to determine the neural basis of the mood-regulating effects of light. Working with the supervisory team, the successful applicant will receive expert training in a range of highly sought after techniques including the use of large scale electrophysiological recording approaches, the latest genetic techniques for manipulating neuronal circuit function (e.g. optogenetics), animal handling and surgical techniques as well as whole animal physiological and behavioural monitoring. Through the course of the project, the applicant will thus determine: which brain regions are involved in the immediate mood-enhancing effects of light? How are signals from the various photoreceptors in the retina combined to produce these effects? To what extent are effects on our internal body clock or sleep/wake cycle important? Using this information we will be able to devise lighting schemes that optimise mood-enhancing effects of light and confirm their effectiveness in models of depression.

https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/Timothy.Brown.html
http://lucasgroup.lab.manchester.ac.uk/
https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/David.Bechtold.html