Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of Ramelteon in the Treatment of Sleep and Mood in Patients With Seasonal Affective Disorder
Overview
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Intervention
- Ramelteon
- Conditions
- Seasonal Affective Disorder
- Sponsor
- Lehigh Valley Hospital
- Enrollment
- 50
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Sleep Satisfaction at Baseline and Measured Monthly, as Measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 16 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine whether treating sleep difficulties in patients with seasonal affective disorder also improves their depressive symptoms.
Detailed Description
Seasonal affective disorder(SAD) is a type of depression in which a patient's depressive symptoms worsen in the winter. These patients' depressive symptoms often lessen in the spring and summer months. Much of the focus of the treatment of SAD (light therapy and melatonin) has involved the brain's suprachiasmatic nucleus(SCN), as it is hypothesized that one potential reason for SAD is a desynchronized SCN. Ramelteon offers a new and more pharmacologically exact mechanism to re-synchronize the SCN. The administration of ramelteon for this patient population may improve sleep, and in addition, do so in a manner that may also reduce their seasonal affective depressive symptoms. Patients eligible for enrollment will be administered either ramelteon or placebo and return to the study office for 4 monthly visits over the winter months, to evaluate the effects of ramelteon versus placebo on sleep and mood.
Investigators
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Male or female age 18-65 yrs.
- •A diagnosis of seasonal affective disorder
- •A Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index \>5
- •English speaking
- •Be able to sign informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
- •Active substance abuse
- •Current psychotic symptoms
- •Severe personality disorders
- •Primary sleep disorders
- •Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- •Prescription fluvoxamine(Luvox) use
Arms & Interventions
Ramelteon
8 mg
Intervention: Ramelteon
Placebo
Intervention: Placebo
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Sleep Satisfaction at Baseline and Measured Monthly, as Measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Time Frame: Monthly for duration of treatment (up to 4 months)
Self-rated scale to measure quality of sleep via questions regarding sleep latency, duration, efficiency, disturbances, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction. Score ranges from 0-21, higher scores represent more significant sleep disturbance.
Secondary Outcomes
- Depressive Symptoms at Baseline and Measured Monthly, as Measured by the Zung Depression Scale (ZDS)(Monthly for duration of treatment (up to 4 months))
- Depressive Symptoms at Baseline and Measured Monthly, as Measured by the Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating - Seasonal Affective Disorder (SIGH-SAD)(Monthly for duration of treatment (up to 4 months))