Apollo Research

Apollo Health, Inc. supports and funds more research on the health benefits of light than all other manufacturers of light therapy products combined. We have consistently led the way in light therapy research, administering millions of dollars worth of grants to pinpoint the positive and therapeutic effects of light for the treatment of mood disorders, insomnia, skin conditions, and blood ailments. Because of Apollo's history, credibility, and dedication to the improvement of people's lives, we have been the recipient of numerous government research grants. In our quest to bring about the best possible natural solutions, Apollo Light has worked with most major research centers as well as hundreds of physicians and researchers to increase the effectiveness and awareness of light therapy. Apollo Health provides light therapy products to the National Institute of Health, NASA, Harvard, Yale, the Mayo Clinic, and dozens of research institutions around the world. Following is just a small amount of the research that has been done on light therapy for SAD, circadian rhythm disorder and other mood and sleep related issues.

Indicates Apollo participated in or contributed to research.

SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER

Beginning to See the Light
Archives of General Psychiatry
Anna Wirz-Justice, PhD
...light is as effective as drugs, perhaps more so. ...the best evidence to date that light is an effective antidepressant in seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Canadian Consensus Guidelines for the Treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder
A Summary of the Report of the Canadian Consensus Group on SAD
Editors - Raymond W. Lam, MD, FRCPC and Anthony J. Levitt, MD, FRCPC
We hope the guidelines will help physicians to explain some of the many questions that patients and family members ask about SAD.

Light Produces Brain Serotonin
The Lancet
Low serotonin levels are associated with depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Researchers provide evidence that brain serotonin levels increase when exposed to bright light.  This suggests that daily light therapy has a sound basis in biology.

Morning vs Evening Light Treatment of Patients with Winter Depression
Archives of General Psychiatry
Alfred J. Lewy, MD, PhD; Vance K. Bauer, MA; Neil L. Cutler, BA; Robert L. Sack, MD; Saeeduddin Ahmed, MD; Katherine H. Thomas, MD; Mary L. Blood, MS; Jeanne M. Latham Jackson, MD
We recommend that bright-light exposure be scheduled immediately on awakening in the treatment of most patients with seasonal affective disorder.

Science and Light Therapy
Medical News & Perspectives
Timed exposure to daylight-intensity light has become the treatment of choice for SAD. Light is as effective as anti-depressant medications are, perhaps more so.

Understanding How Bright Light Affects Circadian Rhythm Disorders
Apollo Health Inc.
Mood and sleep disorders have chronobiologic basis. Using therapeutic light to treat sleep disorders often resolves or mitigates the mood problem. Light must be used at the proper time of day for desired effect. Explanation of when and why to use bright light.

BIPOLAR

Canadian Consensus Guidelines for Bipolar/ Seasonal Affective Disorder
Excerpts Regarding Bipolar Disorders
Diagnosis and Epidemiology.

DEPRESSION

Light Treatment for Nonseasonal Depression: Speed, Efficacy, and Combined Treatment
The Journal of Affective Disorders
Daniel F. Kripke
Bright light can be combined with standard therapies for treating nonseasonal depressions and appears synergistic

Bright Light Augments Antidepressant Effects of Medication and Wake Therapy
Archives of General Psychiatry
Richard T. Loving, R.N., D.N.Sc., Daniel F. Kripke, M.D., and Stephen R. Shuchter, MD
Inpatient studies have suggested that bright light therapy can be used to sustain the antidepressant effects of wake therapy (sleep depravation). ...excellent responses to wake therapy can be maintained if the patient receives bright light treatments every morning thereafter.

Wake Therapy an Effective Treatment for Depression
Journal Summary
Scientists discover missing key to treating depression with wake therapy.  How wake therapy was discovered. When combined with bright light, wake therapy may be an effective antidepressant modality.

Wake Therapy News Release
PR Healthwire News Release
San Diego, CA: Doctors have known for decades that sleep deprivation immediately reversed the effects of depression, but for only a day or so. Now doctors can extend the antidepressant effects of sleep deprivation (now called wake therapy*) by adding bright light treatments.

SHIFT WORK

Exposure to Bright Light and Darkness to Treat Physiologic Maladaptation to Night Work
The New England Journal of Medicine
Charles A. Czeisler, PhD, MD, Michael P. Johnson, AB, Jeanne F. Duffy
We conclude that maladaptation of the human circadian system to night work, with its associated decline in alertness, performance, and quality of daytime sleep, can be treated effectively with scheduled exposure to bright light at night and darkness during the day.

MELATONIN REGULATION

Scientists Discover key to Melatonin Regulation
Journal of Neuroscience News Release
Scientists discovered that wavelengths of light in the blue region of the visible spectrum are the most effective in controlling melatonin production.  "This discovery will have an immediate impact on the therapeutic use of light for treating winter depression and circadian disorders. Some makers of light therapy equipment are developing prototypes with enhanced blue light stimuli."

Specific Wavelengths Suppress Melatonin
The Journal of Neuroscience
George C. Brainard, John P. Hanifin, Jeffrey Greeson, Brenda Byrne, Gena Glickman, Edward Gerner, Mark D. Rollag
Light is the primary stimulus for regulating circadian rhythms, seasonal cycles, and neuroendocrine responses in many species, including humans. Furthermore, clinical studies have demonstrated that light therapy is effective for treating selected affective disorders, sleep problems, and circadian disruptions.

Human Melatonin Regulation is Not Mediated by the Three Cone Photopic Visual System
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
George C. Brainard, John P. Hanifin, Mark D. Rollag, Jeffrey Greeson, Brenda Byrne, Gena Glickman, Edward Gerner, Britt Sanford

Ocular Input for Human Melatonin Regulation: Relevance to Breast Cancer
Neuroendocrinology Letters
Gena Glickman, Robert Levin, George C. Brainard
Recent developments in understanding melatonin regulation by light in humans are examined, with particular attention to factors that contribute to the sensitivity of the light-induced melatonin suppression response.

SLEEP DISORDERS

Light Treatment for Sleep Disorders: Consensus Report. IV. Sleep Phase and Duration Disturbances
J Biol Rhythms
Terman M, Lewy AJ, Dijk DJ, Boulos Z, Eastman CI, Campbell SS
Advanced and delayed sleep phase disorders, and the hypersomnia that can accompany winter depression, have been treated successfully by appropriately timed artificial bright light exposure.

Treating Chronobiologic Sleep and Mood Disorders with Bright Light
Psychopharmacology Bull
Alfred J. Lewy, MD, PhD
The study of circadian rhythms and their effects on biological functions and mood have provided fascinating insights into the understanding of mental illness. 10 Treatment Guidlines for using bright light.

Understanding How Bright Light Affects Circadian Rhythm Disorders
Apollo Health Inc.
Mood and sleep disorders have chronobiologic basis. Using therapeutic light to treat sleep disorders often resolves or mitigates the mood problem. Light must be used at the proper time of day for desired effect. Explanation of when and why to use bright light.

INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT

Abstracts from Professional Literature
Summaries of journal articles (for insurance reimbursements)

Insurance Reimbursement Information
Checklist for obtaining reimbursement, Sample letter to insurance co., other instructions. (To be used with article, Beginning to see the light and Abstracts from Professional Literature)

CHRONIC FATIGUE

Chronic fatigue syndrome and seasonal affective disorder: comorbidity, diagnostic overlap, and implications for treatment
Am J Med
Terman M, Levine SM, Terman JS, Doherty S.
Light therapy may provide patients with CFS an effective treatment alternative or adjunct to antidepressant drugs.

NEGATIVE IONIZATION

A controlled trial of timed bright light and negative air ionization for
treatment of winter depression.
Arch Gen Psychiatry
Terman M, Terman JS, Ross DC.
Three studies compared bright light and negative ionization to placebo for the treatment of seasonal depression. Negative ionization was found to be comparable to bright light in producing an antidepressant response.

CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS

Chronobiology and mood disorders: background and introduction
Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience
Benjamin Rusak, PhD
Mood disorders are related to circadian rhythms in several different ways. Rebalancing circadian rhythms is an important tool in treating mood disorders.

Understanding How Bright Light Affects Circadian Rhythm Disorders
Apollo Health Inc.
Mood and sleep disorders have chronobiologic basis. Using therapeutic light to treat sleep disorders often resolves or mitigates the mood problem. Light must be used at the proper time of day for desired effect. Explanation of when and why to use bright light.

Treating Chronobiologic Sleep and Mood Disorders with Bright Light
Psychopharmacology Bull
Alfred J. Lewy, MD, PhD
The study of circadian rhythms and their effects on biological functions and mood have provided fascinating insights into the understanding of mental illness. 10 Treatment Guidlines for using bright light.

SEROTONIN

Light Produces Brain Serotonin
The Lancet
Low serotonin levels are associated with depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Researchers provide evidence that brain serotonin levels increase when exposed to bright light.  This suggests that daily light therapy has a sound basis in biology.

ALZHEIMER'S

Effect of light on agitation in institutionalized patients with severe Alzheimer disease.
Am J Geriatr Psychiatry
Ancoli-Israel S, Martin JL, Gehrman P, Shochat T, Corey-Bloom J, Marler M, Nolan S, Levi L.
patients with mild or moderate AD, might benefit from light treatment even more than those with severe AD.

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