Can pulling an all-nighter reveal how depression hijacks sleep and mood?
NCT ID NCT05497414
First seen Jul 23, 2026 · Last updated Jul 28, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study uses brain scans to explore how sleep and mood are connected in people with major depression compared to healthy volunteers. Participants undergo overnight sleep deprivation while researchers measure changes in brain activity, fluid flow, and mood. The goal is to uncover the neural systems that link sleep loss to mood changes in depression.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- overnight sleep deprivation
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward new ways to understand and treat mood disorders by targeting sleep.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage observational study, not a treatment trial. Sleep deprivation can temporarily worsen mood in some people.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
81 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jan 2022
- Finished
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Mar 2024
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 80 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion criteria: * Adult aged 18-80 Inclusion criteria for patient cohort only: \- Current diagnosis of major depressive disorder Exclusion criteria: * Must not have ferrous metal implanted in head or body * Must have no history of major head trauma * Must not have implanted electronic devices (e.g., pacemaker, neurostimulator) * Must not be pregnant, suspect they are pregnant, or seeking to become pregnant * Must not be claustrophobic * Must have no piercings or jewelry that cannot be removed * Weight less than 250 pounds * No lifetime history of schizophrenia or any other psychosis disorder, substantial intellectual disability, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder * No alcohol or substance abuse or dependence within the past 6 months * No significant personality dysfunction * Must not indicate significant suicide risk. * Must not be taking medications that significantly affect sleep, psychiatric function, blood/vascular function, or anti-inflammatory medications (other than minor NSAID use).
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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