Investigation of the effects of antidepressant photic stimulation on hippocampal neurogenesis and BDNF expression in male wistar rats

It is unclear as to which brain structures and processes are involved in the antidepressant effect of light stimulation in phototherapy. In order to elucidate this mechanism, it is first necessary to show that phototherapy is effective in an animal model of depression and then investigating which structures and neurochemical processes are involved. Our previous work has shown that a 10-minute light pulse delivered during the dark phase has an antidepressant effect in a behavioral despair model of depression. Our findings in this project indicate that contrary to other antidepressant treatments, the light pulse does not promote hippocampal neurogenesis and BDNF expression.