Lights, Sleep Affect Behavior in Dementia

Brighter lights and hormone pills may help behavior problems and sleep in people with dementia, a study finds. The study included 189 people in 12 group homes. Most had dementia. In some homes, bright lights were turned on all day. The other homes were less bright. In addition, people were given supplements of melatonin or fake pills. Melatonin is a hormone that helps to regulate sleep. People exposed to bright lights were less likely to get depressed. If they also took melatonin, they slept longer and were less agitated. But melatonin increased mood problems for people exposed to dim light. HealthDay and Reuters Health news services reported on the study June 10. It was in the Journal of the American Medical Association.