A possible role of perinatal light in mood disorders and internal cancers: reconciliation of instability and latitude concepts

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Summary

This paper discusses the potential impact of perinatal light exposure on the development of mood disorders and internal cancers, suggesting that the time of year and location of birth may contribute to a person's susceptibility to these conditions.

Categories

Mood regulation: The paper discusses how perinatal light exposure may contribute to the development of mood disorders later in life.

Cancer treatment and prevention: The paper suggests that perinatal light exposure may influence the risk of developing internal cancers such as breast and prostate cancer.

Seasonal affective disorder: The paper proposes that the time of year and location of birth, which influence perinatal light exposure, may be key contributors to a person's susceptibility to seasonal affective disorder.

Lighting Design Considerations: The paper suggests that optimizing light:dark ratios during late pregnancy, at birth, and after birth could potentially prevent illnesses common later in life.

Hormone regulation: The paper discusses the role of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep and wakefulness, in the development of the perinatal circadian time-keeping system.