Seasonal Affective Disorder
Conditions
Brief summary
This study aims to assess differences in monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) distribution in the brain between seasonal affective disorder patients and healthy controls using positron emission tomography. In addition the investigators aim to demonstrate the impact of light therapy on MAO-A distribution In addition, a pilot study and a sub-study in healthy controls were performed
Detailed description
This study aims to assess differences in monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) distribution in the brain between seasonal affective disorder patients and healthy controls using positron emission tomography. In addition, the investigators aim to demonstrate the impact of light therapy on MAO-A distribution by investigating patients and controls in the winter before bright light therapy, in the winter after bright-light therapy, and in the summer. Bright light therapy will be placebo controlled, randomized, and double blinded.
Interventions
OTHERLight Therapy
One subgroup of SAD patients and healthy controls respectively will receive bright light therapy using an artificial white light source (PhysioLight LD220 by DAVITA®, www.davita.de/shop/lichttherapiegeraete/lichtduschen-tageslicht/physiolight-ld-220.html) with full-spectrum 10.000lux light intensity. The treatment will be applied 30min per day at a distance of about of 50cm, preferably in the morning, during 3 weeks.
OTHERPlacebo Light
The second subgroup of the SAD patients and healthy controls will receive a non-biologically active light source (\<400nm or \>500nm). Here, the lamp will have largely similar shape and size as compared to the therapeutic device, but the fluorescent tube with the high light intensity will be replaced by an ordinary bulb.
Sponsors
Medical University of Vienna
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 55 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
for Patients: * DSM-IV diagnosis of SAD established by diagnostic interview according to the SCID. * Global Seasonality Score of 10 or higher on the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ) * Somatic health based on history, physical examination, ECG, and laboratory screening * Aged 18 to 55 years * No therapeutic treatment of SAD in the last 6 months (drugs and light therapy) * Willingness and competence to complete the informed consent process Inclusion criteria for healthy controls: * Aged 18 to 55 years * Somatic and psychiatric health based on history, physical examination, ECG, laboratory screening, SCID * Willingness and competence to complete the informed consent process
Exclusion criteria
for patients and healthy controls: * Concomitant major medical or neurological illness * Concomitant psychiatric disorders * Current smoking * Ingestion of antidepressants or other psychotropic agents targeting the serotonergic system, within the last 6 months. * Bright light therapy within the last 6 months. * Current substance abuse including alcohol, drugs of abuse, or any medication in a manner which is indicative of substance-related disorders (e.g. substance dependency) according to the DSM-IV. * Failure to comply with the study protocol or follow the instructions of the investigators. * Positive urine pregnancy test. * For participants who participated in an earlier neuroimaging study using ionizing radiation, the total radiation exposure dose of 20 mSv over the last 10 years must not be exceeded, as specified in the legislation on radiation protection (Allg. Strahlenschutzverordnung 2010; www.ris.bka.gv.at).
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Change in MAO-A specific distribution volume (MAO-A DVs) assessed with PET | PET2 (3 weeks after PET1) compared to PET 1 (baseline), PET3 (6 months after PET1) compared to PET 1 (baseline) and PET 2 (3 weeks after PET1) |
Other
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Change in SAD symptoms assessed with Morningness-Eveningness-Questionnaire (MEQ) | PET2 (3 weeks after PET1) compared to PET 1 (baseline), PET3 (6 months after PET1) compared to PET 1 (baseline) and PET 2 (3 weeks after PET1) |
| Change in SAD symptoms assessed with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale with Atypical Depression Supplement (SIGH-ADS) | PET2 (3 weeks after PET1) compared to PET 1 (baseline), PET3 (6 months after PET1) compared to PET 1 (baseline) and PET 2 (3 weeks after PET1) |
| Change in SAD symptoms assessed with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) | PET2 (3 weeks after PET1) compared to PET 1 (baseline), PET3 (6 months after PET1) compared to PET 1 (baseline) and PET 2 (3 weeks after PET1) |
| Light exposition assessed with photometer | During the 3 weeks of light therapy (between PET1 and PET2), 3 weeks before PET3 |
| Difference in MAO-A specific distribution volume (MAO-A DVs) assessed with PET between patients and healthy controls | At PET1, PET2, and PET3 |
Countries
Austria
Outcome results
None listed