Seasonal Affective Disorder & Visual Impairment

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

As a subtype of major depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or winter depression causes severe reductions in both quality of life and productivity and results in high morbidity and frequent sick leave (1). SAD is a prevalent disorder with rates as high as 3-5% in central European countries and 8-10% in Scandinavian countries. In our recent screening survey among persons with severe visual impairment or blindness (visual acuity < 6/60), we found a strikingly high prevalence of SAD of 17 % compared to 8% in the fully sighted control group. Persons with maintained light perception had a highly increased SAD prevalence of 18 % whereas no light perception (NLP) respondents had an SAD prevalence of 13 %. Light is unquestionably of great importance in the development and treatment of SAD. It is suggested that a reduced retinal sensitivity to light leads to sub-threshold light input to the brain and consequently to the development of SAD. The novel retinal non-visual photoreceptors, the intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), are involved in the regulation of circadian rhythm and mood and their function are in part independent of the function of the classical rod and cone photoreceptors which form the basis of conscious visual perception. Function of the ipRGCs can be assessed by chromatic pupillometry where the sustained pupillary contractions following blue light stimulation (PIPR) is the main outcome. In persons with SAD without eye disorder the function of the ipRGCs is reduced. We here wish to investigate associations between ipRGC function and SAD symptoms, circadian profile and treatment response to light therapy in persons with visual impairment.

Persons with visual impairment (SAD and non-SAD) are assessed for ipRGC function with chromatic pupillometry, for seasonal mood variation by interview and questionnaire and for diurnal melatonin secretion by saliva analysis summer and winter. In winter SAD participants are treated with daily morning bright light for 6 weeks. Reduction in depression scores and tolerability is recorded.

Clinical Trial Description

n/a

Study Design

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

Clinical Trial Details

NCT number	NCT03403959
Study type	Interventional
Source	Psychiatric Centre Rigshospitalet
Contact
Status	Completed
Phase	N/A
Start date	December 1, 2017
Completion date	March 12, 2020

View Details

See also
Status	Clinical Trial	Phase
Recruiting	`NCT06000865` - Glaucoma Rehabilitation With Action viDeo Games and Exercise - GRADE	N/A
Recruiting	`NCT05619432` - Re:Garde Program - Training and Maintaining Visual Perception in Older Adults	N/A
Completed	`NCT03670303` - Trial of an Educational Intervention to Promote Spectacle Use Among Secondary School Children in Islamabad, Pakistan	N/A
Completed	`NCT02896738` - MRI Screening for Auditory Pathway Malformations in Visually Impaired Children
Completed	`NCT01822717` - Nonvisual Foot Inspection for People With Visual Imapirment	N/A
Completed	`NCT03865134` - Evaluation of Visual - Motor Development in Children With Retinopathy of Prematurity
Active, not recruiting	`NCT04198350` - Pancreatic Islet Transplantation to the Anterior Chamber of the Eye	N/A
Recruiting	`NCT05220449` - Re-Orchestration of Interregional Oscillatory Activity to Promote Visual Recovery	N/A
Completed	`NCT04190147` - Eye and Growth in Adolescents Born Moderate-to-late Preterm
Completed	`NCT05135195` - A Virtual Reality Platform Simulating Visual Impairment for Testing of Electronic Travel Aids and Performing Orientation and Mobility Training	N/A
Recruiting	`NCT05199363` - Pediatric Patient Experience on a Diagnostic Path	N/A
Active, not recruiting	`NCT03767803` - Collection of Whole Blood Samples for the Evaluation of Preeclampsia (Pre-E) Biomarkers From Pregnant Women
Recruiting	`NCT03571217` - Shanghai Beixinjing Diabetic Eyes Study
Not yet recruiting	`NCT03726606` - A Comparison of the Visual Performance of Trifocal Versus Extended Depth of Focus Intraocular Lenses	N/A
Completed	`NCT02259088` - A 12-month, Randomized, Efficacy and Safety Study of 0.5 mg Ranibizumab vs Laser in Chinese Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) Patients	Phase 3
Completed	`NCT06197607` - Effect of Hand Exercises on Hand Grip Strength and Manual Ability in Children With Visual Impairment	N/A
Withdrawn	`NCT04579653` - Pupillometry and Locus Coeruleus Activation (PuLCA)	N/A
Recruiting	`NCT05844982` - Intravitreal Faricimab Injections or Fluocinolone Acetonide (0.19 mg) Intravitreal Implants vs Observation for Prevention of VA Loss Due to Radiation Retinopathy	Phase 3
Recruiting	`NCT02258113` - Measuring of Neuro-visual Functionality With Ocusweep	N/A
Completed	`NCT02607384` - The Baltimore Reading and Eye Disease Study	N/A

Clinical trials are conducted in a series of steps, called phases - each phase is designed to answer a separate research question.

Phase 1: Researchers test a new drug or treatment in a small group of people for the first time to evaluate its safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects.
Phase 2: The drug or treatment is given to a larger group of people to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety.
Phase 3: The drug or treatment is given to large groups of people to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments, and collect information that will allow the drug or treatment to be used safely.
Phase 4: Studies are done after the drug or treatment has been marketed to gather information on the drug's effect in various populations and any side effects associated with long-term use.

Seasonal Affective Disorder and Visual Impairment

Clinical Trial Summary

Clinical Trial Description

Study Design

Related Conditions & MeSH terms