Investigation of Seasonal Variations of Brain Structure and Connectivity in SAD

Inclusion criteria

for SAD Cohort

• Male or female between the ages of 18 to 65 years, inclusive
• Patients who are able and willing to give consent and able to attend study visits
• Agreement to use light therapy for four weeks
• DSM-V diagnosis of seasonal affective disorder, at least 2 year history of the illness with a Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-SAD version (SIGH-SAD) score ≥ 25 at screening

Exclusion criteria

for SAD Cohort

• Current alcohol and/or substance use disorder
• Use of cigarettes
• Past or present psychiatric disorders (axis I and II) other than SAD
• Taken medications approved and/or employed off-label for depression
• Previous use of light therapy
• Use of photosensitive medications
• Montreal Cognitive Assessment score < 24
• Patients with standard contraindications for MR imaging. For example, non-MRI compatible metallic implants including cardiac pacemaker, size limitations etc.
• Known intolerance or allergies to MRI contrast agent (Gadolinium or Magnevist) including advanced kidney disease
• Severely impaired renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate <30ml/min/1.73m2)
• Individuals who are not able or willing to tolerate the required prolonged stationary supine position during treatment
• Pregnant and/or breastfeeding
• Travelled to another a more southern latitude within 6 months of scan
• Night shift workers
• Are participating or have participated in clinical trial or research study in the last 30 days
• Unable to communicate with investigator and/or staff
• Diagnosis of a reading disability, dyslexia or significant learning disorder

Inclusion criteria

for Unipolar Depression Cohort contraindications

• Male or female between the ages of 18 to 65 years, inclusive
• Patients who are able and willing to give consent and able to attend study visits
• DSM-V diagnosis of major depressive disorder, with a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score ≥ 22 at screening

Exclusion criteria

for Unipolar Depression Cohort

• Current alcohol and/or substance use disorder
• Past or present psychiatric disorders (axis I and II) other than SAD
• Montreal Cognitive Assessment score < 24
• Patients with standard contraindications for MR imaging. For example, non-MRI compatible metallic implants including cardiac pacemaker, size limitations etc.
• Known intolerance or allergies to MRI contrast agent (Gadolinium or Magnevist) including advanced kidney disease
• Severely impaired renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate <30ml/min/1.73m2)
• Individuals who are not able or willing to tolerate the required prolonged stationary supine position during treatment
• Pregnant and/or breastfeeding
• Are participating or have participated in clinical trial or research study in the last 30 days
• Unable to communicate with investigator and/or staff
• Diagnosis of a reading disability, dyslexia or significant learning disorder

Inclusion criteria

for Healthy Controls

• Male or female between the ages of 18 to 65 years, inclusive
• Patients who are able and willing to give consent and able to attend study visits
• No current or past history of mental disorder
• No unstable medical disorders

Exclusion criteria

for Healthy Controls

• Use of any medication for a general medical disorder and/or condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, may affect neural structure
• Alcohol or drug-use within 24 hours of MRI
• Pregnant and/or breastfeeding
• Montreal Cognitive Assessment score < 24
• Patients with standard contraindications for MR imaging. For example, non-MRI compatible metallic implants including cardiac pacemaker, size limitations etc.
• Known intolerance or allergies to MRI contrast agent (Gadolinium or Magnevist)
• Individuals who are not able or willing to tolerate the required prolonged stationary supine position during treatment
• Are participating or have participated in clinical trial or research study in the last 30 days
• Unable to communicate with investigator and/or staff