Mechanisms of Depression and Anhedonia in Adolescents: Linking Sleep Duration and Timing to Reward- and Stress-Related Brain Function

This research will use biobehavioral approaches to generate understanding about the linkages between sleep duration and timing, stressful life events, and depressive symptoms in adolescents, with a long-term aim of developing effective preventative interventions.

Inclusion Criteria:14-19 years of ageCurrently in high schoolShort and late sleep (weekday sleep duration ≤ 6 h & midpoint ≥ 4 am; n=100) or long and early sleep (weekday sleep duration ≥ 8h & midpoint ≤ 2:30 am; n=50), indexed by the Munich Chronotype QuestionnaireLifetime stressful event frequency greater than 4 on the Stress and Adversity Inventory (STRAIN) ScreenerDepressive symptom severity t-score greater than or equal to 45 on the Patient Reported Outcomes (PROMIS) Depression scaleExclusion Criteria:high risk of DSM-IV alcohol dependence [past-year mean days of alcohol use per month at ages 18-19, 17, 16, and 14-15 of ≥4, ≥2, ≥1, and ≥0.5, respectively (9)], determined with the Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB);past-year mean days of cannabis/nicotine use per month at ages 18-19, 17, 16, and 14-15 of ≥12, ≥6, ≥3, and ≥1.5, respectively, determined by the TLFB;any repeated use of other substances (past-year use >1) determined by the TLFB;DSM-5 criteria for current or past severe alcohol/substance use disorder (≥6 symptoms), determined by the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for DSM-5 Present and Lifetime (K-SADS-PL);acute alcohol intoxication, operationalized as a blood alcohol concentration of .02 or higher during Breathalyzer saliva screen;self-reported use of opioids, benzodiazepines, hallucinogens, or stimulants (other than caffeine and nicotine) within 24 hours of study visits;self-reported symptoms of withdrawal from depressants or stimulants on days of study visits;beginning/ending a prescribed medication within 2 months of the observational study;medication dose changes within the timeframe calculated as 5x the drug's half-life [the time to reach pharmacokinetic steady-state] before the initiation of the observational or experimental studies;participant-anticipated changes in prescribed medications or medication dosing during the observational or experimental studies;current sleep disorders other than insomnia and delayed sleep phase determined by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Sleep Disorders;lifetime bipolar or psychotic disorder determined by the K-SADS-PL;moderate to high suicide risk determined with the Columbia Protocol and Suicide Severity Rating Scale;certain medical conditions (e.g., neurological disorder, heart failure or trouble, high blood pressure, history of unconsciousness > 5 minutes);conditions that are contraindicated for fMRI (e.g., ferrous metal in the body);individuals with eye disease, epilepsy, or photosensitizing medications that are contraindicated during the manipulation condition when bright light is administered (e.g., psychiatric neuroleptic drugs [e.g., phenothiazine], psoralen drugs, antiarrhythmic drugs [e.g., amiodarone], antimalarial and antirheumatic drugs, porphyrin drugs used in photodynamic treatment of skin diseases);travel across two or more time zones within the month prior to the overnight study visits.