CompletedPhase 4ACTRN12614000807651

The effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on the circadian light response

The effect of a single dose of Citalopram compared to placebo on the circadian systems response to light in healthy adults.

Sponsor

Monash University

Enrollment

20 participants

Start Date

Jun 25, 2014

Study Type

Interventional

Conditions

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Summary

This study aims to examine the effect Citalopram (a common SSRI medication) has on the body's response to light exposure at night. It is hypothesised that as compared to placebo trials, administration of Citalopram will will result in an altered response to night time light exposure.

Eligibility

Sex: Both males and femalesMin Age: 18 YearssMax Age: 40 Yearss

Inclusion Criteria1

Healthy Caucasian males and females

Exclusion Criteria13

Any history of psychiatric illness or use of psychiatric medication
Current sleep disorders or erratic/unusual sleep patterns
Recent or excessive illicit drug use
Current use of any prescription medication
Colourblindness
Recent surgery involving a full anaesthetic
Any night shift within the past 3 months
Any travel outside of the current time zone within the last 3 months
BMI less than 18 or greater than 30
Epworth Sleepiness Scale score greater than 10
Beck Depression Inventory score greater than 13
Use of hormonal contraception
Abnormal menstrual cycle (<21 days or >35 days in length or irregular/unpredictable)

Interested in this trial?

Get notified about updates and connect with the research team.

Interventions

Participants will be asked to attend 4 test sessions of ~5 hours each, with ~one week between each session. Each session commences ~4 hours before the participants' habitual bedtime, concluding 1 hour after. The first two sessions will be dim-light exposures (<1 lux), with citalopram 30mg being administered on the first evening, and placebo on the second. The first evening serves to confirm that citalopram 30mg does not influence absolute levels of melatonin, which would impede our ability to measure the suppression of melatonin during the following light exposures. The second night serves as a dark-control for subsequent light exposures. The final two nights are light exposures (~100 lux) with participants being randomised to receive either citalopram 30mg, or placebo, first. Each participant will be exposed to both conditions. A single capsule of citalopram 30mg (or matched placebo) will be administered in the laboratory ~4 hours prior to each participants' bedtime according to their sleep-wake schedule. This takes place during all in lab sessions.