Neuro-affective Response to Light in Depressed Adolescents and Young Adults
Purpose
The goal of this neuroimaging pilot study is to understand developmental differences in the impact of therapeutic wavelength light (blue light) versus a non-therapeutic wavelength (red light) on emotional brain function in depression. The main questions this study aims to answer are: - Does acute exposure to blue light (vs red light) stabilize emotional brain function in depressed individuals? - Are stabilizing effects of blue light (vs red light) stronger for blue light in adolescents than young adults? Participants will complete: - A magnetic resonance imaging brain scan, in which we will examine the effect of blue versus red light on emotional brain function at rest and in response to rewards and losses. - A pupillometry test of sensitivity to blue vs red light - Clinical interviews and surveys - Screening measures for drug and alcohol use, MRI safety, and current pregnancy [if relevant] - Home sleep tracking with sleep diary and actigraphy for one week
Conditions
- Depression in Adolescence
- Depression in Adults
Eligibility
- Eligible Ages
- Between 12 Years and 30 Years
- Eligible Genders
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- DSM-5 major depressive episode - (If <18yr) Parent or guardian can attend the baseline clinical interview
Exclusion Criteria
- Unable to read and write in English - Intellectual disability. - Left or mixed handedness - Use of psychotropic medication other than stable Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) medication (> 2 months) - Lifetime bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, or substance/alcohol disorder in the past 3 months. - Factors influencing light and color sensitivity (i.e., color-blindness, serious ophthalmological conditions, photo-sensitizing medication). - Factors influencing the ability to maintain a stable sleep schedule (i.e., shift work, severe sleep disorders, extremely late or early sleep schedule). - Severe medical illness, neurological disorders, or history of head trauma. - Current pregnancy or nursing - MRI contraindication (e.g., metals in the body, recent tattoo, claustrophobia) - Positive alcohol or substance use screen at MRI visit
Study Design
- Phase
- N/A
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Crossover Assignment
- Intervention Model Description
- All participants will receive blue and red light exposures; order of red vs. blue light will be counterbalanced across participants.
- Primary Purpose
- Other
- Masking
- None (Open Label)
Arm Groups
| Arm | Description | Assigned Intervention |
|---|---|---|
|
Experimental Blue then Red Light |
Blue light (480 nm) then Red light (640 nm) |
|
|
Experimental Red Light then Blue Light |
Red light (640 nm) then Blue light (480 nm) |
|
Recruiting Locations
More Details
- Status
- Recruiting
- Sponsor
- University of Pittsburgh
