Mechanisms of Depression and Anhedonia in Adolescents: Linking Sleep Duration and Timing to Reward- and Stress-Related Brain Function
University of Oregon
Summary
This research will use biobehavioral approaches to generate understanding about the linkages between sleep duration and timing, stressful life events, and depressive symptoms in adolescents, with a long-term aim of developing effective preventative interventions.
Description
The last decade witnessed a steady growth from 8% to 14% in the prevalence of adolescents suffering from major depressive episode within the past year, and depression is expected to be the leading cause of global disability by 2030. The increase in depression incidence and disability is also related to increases in suicidality in adolescents, and the depressive symptom of anhedonia predicts suicidality above and beyond depression diagnosis. The high degree of morbidity and mortality associated with depression and anhedonia in adolescence makes this a key developmental period for research and i…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 14–18 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. 14-18 years of age 2. Currently in high school 3. short and late sleep (weekday sleep duration ≤ 7 h and bedtime ≥ 22:30 (10:30 pm); n=100) or long and early sleep (weekday sleep duration \> 7 hours and bedtime ≤ 22:30 (10:30 pm); n=50), indexed by the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire 4. Lifetime stressful event frequency ≥ 2 on the Stress and Adversity Inventory (STRAIN) Screener 5. Depressive symptom severity t-score greater than or equal to 45 on the Patient Reported Outcomes (PROMIS) Depression scale 6. English language fluency Exclusion Criteria: 1. Diagnostic and…
Interventions
- BehavioralSleep extension and advance
Participants in the sleep extension and advance condition will maintain a stable sleep schedule that extends sleep duration and advances bedtime by 90 min relative to weekday bedtime. This chronotherapeutic manipulation will include blocking phase-delaying light in the evening using goggles with orange lenses ("blue blockers") beginning 2 h prior to bedtime, and 30 min of 506 lux blue-green light exposure in the morning beginning at rise time using bright light goggles (ReTimer Pty Ltd., Australia). Schedule and chronotherapy adherence will be reinforced using motivational techniques (e.g., securing motivation, preplanning, problem-solving), requiring participants to text the study coordinator and complete morning assessments at rise time, and monetary incentives.
- BehavioralRegular sleep duration and timing
Participants in the regular sleep duration and timing condition will keep a stable sleep schedule that matches their typical weekday sleep opportunity and timing. Schedule adherence will be reinforced using motivational techniques (e.g., securing motivation, preplanning, problem-solving), requiring participants to text the study coordinator and complete morning assessments at rise time, and monetary incentives.
Location
- University of OregonEugene, Oregon