Received: 8 September 2018 | Revised: 30 December 2018 | Accepted: 22 January 2019 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14362 SPECIAL ISSUE REVIEW Perspectives in affective disorders: Clocks and sleep Anna Wirz‐Justice1 | Francesco Benedetti2,3 1Centre for Chronobiology, Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Abstract Neurosciences, Psychiatric Hospital of the Mood disorders are often characterised by alterations in circadian rhythms, sleep dis- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland turbances and seasonal exacerbation. Conversely, chronobiological treatments utilise 2 University Vita‐Salute San Raffaele, zeitgebers for circadian rhythms such as light to improve mood and stabilise sleep, and Milano, Italy 3 manipulations of sleep timing and duration as rapid antidepressant modalities. Although Psychiatry & Clinical Psychobiology, Division of sleep deprivation (“wake therapy”) can act within hours, and its mood‐elevating effects Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific be maintained by regular morning light administration/medication/earlier sleep, it has Institute, Milano, Italy not entered the regular guidelines for treating affective disorders as a first‐line treat- Correspondence ment. The hindrances to using chronotherapeutics may lie in their lack of patentability, Anna Wirz‐Justice, Centre for few sponsors to carry out large multi‐centre trials, non‐reimbursement by medical in- Chronobiology, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. surance and their perceived difficulty or exotic “alternative” nature. Future use can be Email:
[email protected] promoted by new technology (single‐sample phase measurements, phone apps, move- ment and sleep trackers) that provides ambulatory documentation over long periods and feedback to therapist and patient. Light combinations with cognitive behavioural therapy and sleep hygiene practice may speed up and also maintain response.