Light has a significant impact on human health, cognition, and well-being. Through the collaborative research project LightSPAN, TUMCREATE is advancing health prevention and investigating how light exposures can improve human life. In particular, the project will focus on Singapore's population and examine the two critical life stages of "childhood/adolescence" and "age over 65."
The three-year project is led by Prof. Dr. Manuel Spitschan, Head of the Assistant Professorship of Chronobiology & Health, and Asst. Prof. Raymond P. Najjar of the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore. The National Research Foundation Singapore (NRF) is funding the project with a total of 3.4 million euros. "We have developed an exciting interdisciplinary project here that combines many components. On the one hand, the coupling of light and the light-sensitive mechanisms in the eye, and on the other hand, through the inclusion of digital health," says Prof. Spitschan, explaining the added value of the LightSPAN project.
Different age groups will be investigated based on two subprojects. Myopia (nearsightedness) is widespread among Asian children. This chronic eye disease often carries the risk of further eye diseases at an advanced age. Studies suggest that light exposures significantly impact this. Interventions are conceivable, such as lighting recommendations and appropriate classroom adjustments. The interventions of both subprojects will be conducted in Singapore.
While the younger segment of the population struggles with the problem of myopia, the percentage of Singapore residents over 65 is expected to be 19 percent by 2030 - giving rise to the second subproject. Targeted interventions will help strengthen the resilience of "elders" through healthy light exposures and slow cognitive decline. "There are already recommendations for 'good light.' We want to bring about evidence-based behavioral modifications through interventions so that (older) people expose themselves to the right light at the right time. This will work with the help of messages and recommendations from an app, but it can also be achieved through special lamps or smartphone filters. Ultimately, we want to develop a kind of policy for healthy aging in which light recommendations are a central component," explains Spitschan. According to the motto: Bright days, dark nights.
The collaboration with scientists from Singapore within the framework of the TUMCREATE research platform, which played a crucial role in initiating the project, is a further building block in the internationalization of TUM. Prof. Spitschan sees many advantages in the cooperation between the institutions: "Asia is an important location and strategic partner for TUM. On the one hand, through TUM Asia, where study programs are already offered, and on the other hand, through TUMCREATE, which supports the research and development ecosystem, especially in Singapore. The project is also an important flagship for our Department Health and Sport Sciences in the TUM School of Medicine and Health."
The results of the LightSPAN project will eventually be coordinated with high-level Singaporean government agencies and translated into national action strategies designed to positively impact population health. Spitschan believes that transferring the potential results to other countries, such as Germany, is entirely conceivable: "In principle, recommendations for action could be adapted to other areas - it would certainly still need to be checked whether and which region-specific differences exist. But age research, in particular, can probably be applied well. Some studies on this show that light therapy, for example, is effective."
To the homepage of the Assistant Professorship of Chronobiology & Health
To the homepage of the LightSPAN project
To the homepage of TUMCREATE
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Manuel Spitschan
Assistant Professorship of Chronobiology & Health
Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62
80992 München
phone: 089 289 24544
e-mail: manuel.spitschan(at)tum.de
Text: Bastian Daneyko
Photos: LightSPAN/private