Project Summary

Alfred Lewy, M.D., Ph.D. (Distinguished Investigator 2000) of Oregon Health and Sciences University, aims to examine whether non-seasonal major affective disorders (bipolar and unipolar) benefit from correcting circadian phase position.  These corrections can be made by the use of bright light or melatonin.  The administration of bright light (phototherapy) has been demonstrated to be helpful in patients with seasonal affective disorder.  In particular, bright light is more effective when scheduled in the morning (causing a phase advance) compared to the evening.  However, these findings do not conclusively prove that the phase advance is the factor that helps depression.  More definitive support of this hypothesis can come from the use of melatonin, which can cause phase advances when given in the afternoon and phase delays when given in the morning.  Dr. Lewy aims to test a dosing regimen for melatonin that causes the desired phase delay while minimizing side effects.  A double-blind trial of melatonin will be conducted on both unipolar and bipolar major depressives.  This work may have important implications for the treatment of non-seasonal bipolar and unipolar affective disorder.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Unipolar/Bipolar

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