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Recruiting NCT05712772

NCT05712772 Neuro-affective Response to Light in Depressed Adolescents and Young Adults

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Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT05712772
Status Recruiting
Phase
Sponsor University of Pittsburgh
Condition Depression in Adolescence
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment 80 participants
Start Date 2023-06-14
Primary Completion 2026-07-31

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 12 Years
Max Age 30 Years
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Interventions
Blue LightRed Light

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.

This trial targets 80 participants in total. It began in 2023-06-14 with a primary completion date of 2026-07-31.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

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

Eligibility Criteria

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

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Adriane M Soehner, PhD

✉ soehneram2@upmc.edu

📞 4122466651

Principal Investigator

Adriane M Soehner, PhD

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

University of Pittsburgh

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT05712772 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 12 Years or older, up to 30 Years, studying Depression in Adolescence. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

Is NCT05712772 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT05712772 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at soehneram2@upmc.edu for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT05712772 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Pittsburgh, United States.

Who is sponsoring the NCT05712772 clinical trial?

NCT05712772 is sponsored by University of Pittsburgh. The principal investigator is Adriane M Soehner, PhD at University of Pittsburgh. The trial plans to enroll 80 participants.

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ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: July 2026  ·  Data Methodology