Background
Bright light therapy has been shown to have antidepressant and anxiolytic effects
in humans.
Objective
The antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of infrared radiation were evaluated using
an experimental animal model.
Methods
Rats were randomly assigned to either an acutely or chronically exposed infrared radiation
group or to a nonexposed control group. Acutely exposed rats were treated with an
infrared radiation machine for one session, whereas chronically exposed animals were
treated with an infrared radiation for 10 sessions. Control group rats were exposed
to the sound of the infrared radiation machine as a sham treatment. After infrared
radiation or control exposure, rats underwent behavioral evaluation, including elevated
plus maze test, light/dark box, and forced swim test.
Results
Chronic infrared radiation exposure decreased indicators of depression- and anxiety-like
behavior. No significant effect on general locomotor activity was observed. The number
of BrdU-positive cells in CA1 of the hippocampus was significantly increased in both
acutely and chronically exposed infrared radiation groups compared with the control
group.
Conclusions
These results indicate that chronic infrared radiation might produce antidepressant-
and anxiolytic-like effects.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 10, 2010
Accepted:
April 12,
2010
Received in revised form:
March 27,
2010
Received:
December 24,
2009
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
