Light Therapy on Major Depression Disorder
Light Therapy on Major Depression Disorder
Background:

 Major depression disorder is a common psychological disease. It is the second-ranked cause of
 disability worldwide. The pathophysiology is not yet understood. The main theory is
 monoaminergic theory based on the effect of monoaminergic drugs. Current treatment includes
 psychotherapy, medication and electroconvulsive therapy. The onset of action for
 antidepressant is often slow, therefore strategies to improve the outcome are important.
 Bright light therapy has been found to be effective in reducing the severity of depression
 not only in seasonal affective disorder but also in other affective disorder. Previous
 meta-analyses of light therapy for non-seasonal major depression, however, has yielded
 conflicting evidence for efficacy.

 Purpose:

 1. To investigate possible imaging biomarkers of major depression disorder

 2. To evaluate the effect of light therapy on depression

 Materials and Methods:

 This prospective study will recruit 100 patients, randomized into 2 study groups: (1)
 antidepressant plus treatment light, and (2) antidepressant plus placebo light. All patients
 will accept a thorough psychological evaluation (including Hamilton Depression Rating Scale,
 Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impression-Severity and Patient
 Health Questionnaire-9 items) at baseline and at the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 8th week during the
 8-week experiment intervention, by a blind assessor. Mini-International Neuropsychiatric
 Interview (MINI) and Morningness- Eveningness Questionnaire-Self-Assessment Version (MEQ-SA)
 were only evaluated at baseline. Adverse events were evaluated at baseline, 2nd,4th,8th
 weeks. MRI study will be arranged at baseline and in 4-week experiment.

 Predicted Results and Influence:

 1. To evaluate the additional effect of the treatment light on depression disorder

 2. To compare the difference of functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI), structural MRI
 among the two groups and between the patients with and without treatment effect in order
 to detect imaging biomarkers.
Inclusion Criteria:

 1. Fulfill diagnosis of Major depression disorder based on Diagnostic and Statistical
 Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-V) for at least 6 weeks and under medication treatment
 for at least 4 weeks.

 2. at least 20 years old

 3. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HAMD-17) >= 13

 4. No medication change for at least 4 weeks and no medication change will be considered
 in the next 8 weeks.

 5. Agree to participate in this study and sign the permit.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 1. Seasonal depression disorder

 2. Other psychological or neurological disorder

 3. Drug or alcohol abuse within 30 days

 4. Visual problem

 5. Light-induced seizure or migraine

 6. Contraindication for MRI study

 7. Severe illness and might be admitted in the near future

 8. Might have a long trip in the near future