[Hinews] A new study led by Professor Kyung-Jun Park at Pusan National University Hospital’s Department of Nuclear Medicine has uncovered how seasonal variations in sunlight exposure influence brain glucose metabolism and emotional regulation. Published in the Journal of Biological Rhythms, this research is the first to document the biological mechanisms driving seasonal mood changes at the brain metabolism level, offering potential insights for depression prevention and treatment.

Seasonal changes in sunlight exposure directly affect brain emotional function and glucose metabolism, according to a new study. (Image provided by ClipArtKorea)
Seasonal changes in sunlight exposure directly affect brain emotional function and glucose metabolism, according to a new study. (Image provided by ClipArtKorea)
Conducted over five years with collaborators from Samsung Changwon Hospital, Fudan University in China, and the Turku PET Centre in Finland, the study analyzed 432 healthy adults using positron emission tomography (PET) scans to measure brain glucose metabolism across seasons. The findings revealed that extended daylight hours were associated with increased glucose uptake in brain regions critical for social and emotional processing, including the precuneus, orbitofrontal cortex, insula, and frontal pole. These emotional circuits showed reduced activity during winter’s shorter days and heightened activity during summer’s longer daylight periods.

Kyung-Jun Park, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Pusan National University Hospital
Kyung-Jun Park, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Pusan National University Hospital


“Changes in sunlight exposure across seasons directly affect brain function and mood,” said Professor Park. “This research lays a foundation for understanding and treating seasonal affective disorder.”

The study establishes a neurobiological link between environmental light exposure and brain activity, paving the way for targeted strategies to address mood disorders influenced by seasonal changes.

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#SeasonalAffectiveDisorder#BrainMetabolism#PusanNationalUniversityHospital
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