Investigation of Seasonal Variations of Brain Structure and Connectivity in SAD (NCT03313674) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Investigation of Seasonal Variations of Brain Structure and Connectivity in SAD
Canada23 participantsStarted 2017-11-01
Plain-language summary
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a subtype of Major Depressive Disorder, characterized by a recurrent temporal relationship between the season of year, the onset and the remission of a major depressive episode. Estimates of the annual prevalence state that 1-6% of the population will develop SAD with the larger prevalences found at greater extremes in latitude. SAD is most likely triggered by the shortening photoperiod experienced in the winter months leading to a deterioration of mood. Recent cross-sectional neuroimaging studies have found cellular and neurotransmitter changes in response to seasonality, ultimately having an impact on the affect of patients. Conversly, this study aims to investigate the changes in neurocircuitry related to depression and euthymic states. Patients with SAD offer a unique ability to study these changes since they have predictable triggers for the onset of depression (i.e. the winter months) and remission (i.e. the summer months).
Who can participate
Age range18 Years – 65 Years
SexALL
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Inclusion criteria
✓. Male or female between the ages of 18 to 65 years, inclusive
✓. Patients who are able and willing to give consent and able to attend study visits
✓. Agreement to use light therapy for four weeks
✓. DSM-V diagnosis of seasonal affective disorder, at least 2 year history of the illness with a Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-SAD version (SIGH-SAD) score ≥ 25 at screening
Exclusion criteria
✕. Current alcohol and/or substance use disorder
✕. Use of cigarettes
✕. Past or present psychiatric disorders (axis I and II) other than SAD
✕. Taken medications approved and/or employed off-label for depression
✕. Patients with standard contraindications for MR imaging. For example, non-MRI compatible metallic implants including cardiac pacemaker, size limitations etc.