Assistance Systems

Philipp Novotny - Diplom-Ingenieur (FH), M.Sc.

GRP - Generation Research Program, Humanwissenschaftliches Zentrum
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Prof.-Max-Lange-Platz 11
D-83646 Bad Tölz

Tel: +49 (0) 8041 799 29 20

Fellows: Prof. Dr. Ernst Pöppel; Dr. Herbert Plischke

Natural and artificial light as a support for advanced dementia

Light affects our daily life and is supposed to help us stay healthy. Studies including people with dementia have shown that these patients prefer brighter places and that some of their cognitive behavior patterns and unrest improved after they were exposed to more light during the day. Since it is known that certain retinal ganglion cells respond to light in the blue spectral range and thereby control our circadian rhythm, further investigations were performed using light sources with specific spectral components.

This PhD work intends to continue research on the influence of light on people with dementia. There should also be an investigation on diagnostical methods for possible causes (e.g. degeneration of certain retinal ganglion cells or vascular changes like in a vascular dementia) of sleep disturbances and chronodisruption and how to eliminate them.

This investigation is organized in cooperation with the Generation Research Program (GRP) in Bad Toelz and the AWO Senior Center in Wolfratshausen. The GRP is a facility of the Ludwig- Maximilians-University Munich and deals with cross-generational research and technology. The AWO Senior Center is a nursing facility with focus on people suffering from dementia.

Vita