Objective Evaluation of Depression Using Sleep EEG

The purpose of study is to collect and analyze human sleeping brainwave data, to better understand depression in humans.

First visit:

• Informed consent procedures, including explanation of research background, purpose, details of implementation, and study benefits and risks
• Interview with questionnaires (MINI International Psychiatric Interview, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Beck Depression Inventory, Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression [PHQ-9]), physical examination.
• Urine drug sample for screening of controlled substances.
• Inform participants that those qualifying will be informed whether or not to proceed with second visit

Second visit:

• Explanation of EEG measurement (placement of two electrodes, one on the forehead and one behind the ear)
• Sleep diary provided for participant to complete at home for each night until third visit
• Distribution of EEG devices for home use
• EEG measurement conducted at participant's residence for three nights of stable sleep-wake cycles

Third visit:

• Collect EEG devices and check completeness of downloaded data

Inclusion criteria

Individuals with Untreated Depression:

• 16 men and 16 women aged from 30 to 59 years, with an approximate ethnic balance of 10 Asian, 3 White and 3 other ethnicity for each gender, whom are diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder by a psychiatric specialist of this research according to MINI screening and DSM-5 criteria, and defined as a score of 15 or higher on the clinician-administered Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Beck Depression Inventory, and Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression (PHQ-9).

Healthy Participants:

• 16 men and 16 women age-, ethnic-, and gender-matched healthy participants to the cohort with untreated depression, with absence of mental disorders, including but not limited to depression and sleep disorders, by a psychiatric specialist according to MINI screening and DSM-5 criteria, and negative Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Beck Depression Inventory, and Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression (PHQ-9).

Exclusion criteria

Participants corresponding to any of the following conditions are considered ineligible for the trial.

• Diagnosed with epilepsy or other organic brain disorder.
• Medical conditions resulting in depressive symptoms such as hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease, systemic lupus erythematosus; neurological conditions resulting in depressive symptoms such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis
• Patients with suspected sleep apnea, based on symptoms and a BMI of 30 or greater
• Prescribed interferon regularly with stimulants, opioid drugs (Ritalin, Opioid, etc.) and steroids
• Repetitive thoughts of death, current thoughts about suicide, suicide attempts, or a suicide plan
• Tested positive to controlled substance use by a urine drug screening before commencement of testing
• Current or past drug or alcohol dependence
• Shift work or rotating work schedule
• Nursing, pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• Participating in other clinical trials