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Neuro-affective Response to Light in Depressed Adolescents and Young Adults

Description

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

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

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

Neuro-affective Response to Light in Depressed Adolescents and Young Adults

Neuro-affective Response to Light in Depressed Adolescents and Young Adults

Condition
Depression in Adolescence
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Pittsburgh

Western Psychiatric Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * DSM-5 major depressive episode
  • * (If \<18yr) Parent or guardian can attend the baseline clinical interview
  • * 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

Ages Eligible for Study

12 Years to 30 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Pittsburgh,

Adriane M Soehner, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Pittsburgh

Study Record Dates

2025-07-31