''I feel really hopeful that it will help a sub-group of people with depression and bipolar disorder, '' he said of the new approach yesterday.
Prof Porter, of the department of psychological medicine at the university's Christchurch campus, will receive a Health Research Council (HRC) feasibility grant of $241,384 to investigate the effectiveness of social rhythm and bright light therapies.
Some promising early research was under way in the United States, and the new approaches would be added to existing medications for people who were not responding to them, he said.
Prof Porter is one of three Otago researchers, at the university's Christchurch and Wellington campuses, who have been granted $737,796 by the HRC to undertake feasibility studies, which could lead to later research.
Other Otago grants: Associate Prof Caroline Bell, Christchurch campus, $247,231, Dr Ben Darlow, Wellington campus, $249,181.
