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Bright light suppresses melatonin in blind patients with neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses

From the Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Physiology (Drs. Hätönen, Laakso, and Alila-Johansson), the Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Department of Neurology (Drs. Hätönen, Sainio, and Santavuori), and the Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences (Physiology) (A. Alila-Johansson), University of Helsinki, Finland; and the Rinnekoti Foundation (Dr. Heiskala), Espoo, Finland.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Taina Hätönen, Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Physiology, P.O.B. 9, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland.

We studied whether light information can reach the pineal glands of clinically blind patients with neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses. The suppression of melatonin by light was used as an indicator. Seven patients and seven control subjects were exposed to 3,000-lux light for 60 minutes at the rising phase of the melatonin synthesis. Most patients were not cooperative, and their eyelids were opened by a researcher every 2 minutes for 2 seconds. The control subjects opened and closed their eyes similarly by themselves. Light suppressed melatonin in three of seven control subjects and in all patients. The average postlight levels were 80% (control subjects) and 51% (patients) of the corresponding levels during the dim-light session. Despite degenerated retinas of the blind patients, light can penetrate their visual system to the hypothalamic and pineal levels and regulate neuroendocrine function.

Supported by Arvo and Lea Ylppö Foundation and Finnish Sleep Research Society, Helsinki, Finland.

Received January 27, 1997. Accepted in final form December 11, 1997.

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