ADHD Improved Without Drugs

Advancing the circadian rhythm has been shown to improve both objective and subjective measures of ADHD symptoms. University scientists have developed special glasses that block the blue rays that cause a delay in the start of the flow of melatonin, the sleep hormone. Putting on the glasses a couple of hours ahead of bedtime eliminates this delay thereby advancing the circadian rhythm.

University Heights, OH (PRWEB) February 8, 2007 -- Recent studies at the University of Toronto have shown that moving the start of the flow of melatonin to an earlier hour resulted in a marked improvement in both objective and subjective measures of ADHD symptoms. Twenty-nine adults with DSM-4 ADHD were studied in a 3-week trial. Primary outcome measures included percent reduction on the Brown Adult ADD Scale and the Conners' Adult ADHD Scale. The strongest correlation was between improvement in these scores and the advance in the circadian rhythm.

Scientists at John Carroll University working in the Lighting Innovations Institute have discovered a means to advance the circadian rhythm without the use of any drugs or the bright lights used in the above mentioned study. There is concern that using the lights to advance the circadian rhythm may have the potential to damage the retina. The new approach developed at JCU is to block the blue component in ordinary light that causes delay in the start of the melatonin flow. Normally it doesn't start until after the individual goes into darkness. By wearing blue-blocking glasses a couple of hours before bedtime, the melatonin can begin to flow at an earlier hour. This is the advance in the circadian rhythm that gave the marked improvement of symptoms of ADHD. An alternative to the blue-blocking glasses has been developed in the form of light bulbs with coatings that block the blue light. Instead of putting on glasses, the individual may simply turn off ordinary lights and turn on the ones with the filters that remove the blue rays. Major use of these devices has been to provide better sleep, avoid postpartum depression, avoid SAD and reduce the risk of cancer. A spin-off company makes these new products available on a website www.lowbluelights.com.

Contact Richard L. Hansler, Ph.D.
216 397 1657

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