Actively Recruiting
Mechanisms of Depression and Anhedonia in Adolescents: Linking Sleep Duration and Timing to Reward- and Stress-Related Brain Function
Led by University of Oregon · Updated on 2025-11-17
150
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Oregon
Lead Sponsor
O
Oregon Research Institute
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying depression and anhedonia in adolescents aged 14 to 18, focusing on how sleep duration and timing, along with stressful life events, affect brain function related to reward and stress. This research aims to better understand these links to develop effective prevention methods for depression, a condition that has increased among teens and is expected to be a leading cause of disability globally by 2030. The study examines how short or late sleep and stress disrupt brain areas important for mood and motivation, which may lead to depressive symptoms and anhedonia. The study compares two sleep schedules: one group will extend their sleep by going to bed 90 minutes earlier and use special goggles to block certain light in the evening and expose themselves to bright light in the morning to advance their sleep timing. The other group will maintain their usual sleep schedule. Participants will receive motivational support and incentives to help follow their assigned sleep routines. This randomized trial evaluates whether changing sleep patterns can improve brain function related to reward and stress and reduce depressive symptoms over two months. During the study, participants will complete brain scans to assess reward- and stress-related brain activity after two weeks, and self-report scales measuring depression and positive mood after two months. Researchers will monitor sleep habits, use questionnaires, and encourage communication with the study team to track adherence. The primary outcomes include changes in depression severity, positive affect, anhedonia, and brain function. The total participation duration includes baseline, intervention, and follow-up assessments to understand the effects of sleep changes on mental health in adolescents.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Mechanisms of Depression and Anhedonia in Adolescents: Linking Sleep to Reward- and Stress-Related Brain Function
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- 14 to 18 years of age
- Currently enrolled in high school
- Short and late sleep (weekday sleep duration 64 7 hours and bedtime 65 10:30 pm) or long and early sleep (weekday sleep duration > 7 hours and bedtime 64 10:30 pm) as measured by the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire
- Experienced two or more stressful life events on the Stress and Adversity Inventory (STRAIN) Screener
- Depressive symptom severity t-score of 45 or higher on the PROMIS Depression scale
- Fluent in English
You will not qualify if you...
- Current moderate to severe alcohol or substance use disorder (4 or more symptoms) per DSM-5 criteria
- Clinician diagnosis of narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia
- Lifetime diagnosis of bipolar or schizophrenia spectrum disorder
- Serious neurological disorder, heart failure or serious heart problems, or history of head injury with unconsciousness longer than 5 minutes
- Conditions contraindicated for MRI (e.g., ferrous metal in the body)
- Eye disease, epilepsy, or use of photosensitizing medications contraindicated during bright light therapy
- Use of melatonin without willingness to stop during the study
- Urgent suicide risk requiring immediate action
- Recent travel across two or more time zones within one month before overnight visits
- Starting or stopping prescribed medication within 2 months of the study
- Medication dose changes within five times the drug half-life before study start
- Anticipated medication changes during the study
- Current symptoms of airborne infectious illness before lab visits
- Positive breathalyzer screen with blood alcohol level above 0.02 will delay participation
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 2 months
Participants follow assigned sleep schedules to either extend and advance sleep duration and timing or maintain regular sleep duration and timing. Adherence is supported with motivational techniques, daily text check-ins, morning assessments, and incentives.
Daily morning assessments and regular communication with the study coordinator
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon, United States, 97403
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Amanda Johnson
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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