Human Melatonin Suppression by Light is Intensity Dependent

TLDR

The study recommends that laboratories determine appropriate light intensities for assessing melatonin sensitivity in patient groups, suggesting that lower intensities (200–350 lx) may better distinguish patients from controls. The authors evaluated the effect of five artificial light intensities on nocturnal melatonin levels. Melatonin suppression after one hour of midnight light ranged from 71 % at 3,000 lx to 16 % at 200 lx, with 1,000 lx reducing levels to near daytime and 350 lx significantly lowering them below baseline.

Abstract

Five intensities of artificial light were examined for the effect on nocturnal melatonin concentrations. Maximum suppression of melatonin following 1 hr of light at midnight was 71%, 67%, 44%, 38%, and 16% with intensities of 3,000, 1,000, 500, 350, and 200 lux (lx), respectively. In contrast to some previous reports, light of 1,000 lx intensity was sufficient to suppress melatonin to near daytime levels, and intensities down to 350 lx were shown to significantly suppress nocturnal melatonin levels below prelight values. On the basis of these data, it is suggested that when examining the melatonin sensitivity of patient groups (such as bipolar affective disorders) to artificial light, an appropriate light intensity should be established in each laboratory. Light of less intensity (e.g., 200–350 lx) may be more suitable to dichotomize patient groups from control subjects.