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

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

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

Inclusion Criteria:

• Elevated Depressive Symptoms [PHQ9≥5 And (Item 1≥1 or Item 2≥1)]
• (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
• Changes to psychotropic medication type or dosage in the past 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