April theory: Why molecular changes may boost our moods in spring.

Dr. Joseph Takahashi, one of the world’s leading experts on biological clocks, says spring is when many people who endure seasonal affective disorder begin to feel happier. He says several molecular changes are likely responsible for these mood changes, many of them linked to sunlight exposure.

Dr. Takahashi, a geneticist and neuroscience chair at UT Southwestern, discovered the first circadian gene in mammals and more recently has been researching factors linked to longer lifespans. For interviews on April theory or other health story ideas, contact James Beltran, media relations manager at UT Southwestern Medical Center, at [email protected] or 214-600-0255.