Can a special light boost brainpower in depression?
NCT ID NCT07508215
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jul 07, 2026 · Updated 5 times
Summary
This study tests whether a specially designed bright light can improve cognitive problems like memory and attention in people with major depressive disorder. 120 adults with depression and cognitive issues will receive either the bright light or a dim red placebo light for four weeks. Researchers will also use brain scans to see how the light affects brain circuits linked to thinking.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- bright light therapy (spectrally optimized light)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, drug-free way to help with the thinking and memory problems that often come with depression.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early study with only 120 people, and the light might not work better than a placebo. The results may not apply to everyone with depression.
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
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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
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About 120 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Apr 2026
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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 60 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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.
The inclusion and exclusion criteria for MDD patients. 1、Inclusion Criteria: 1. MDD diagnosis according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-Ⅳ), first episode or recurrence, confirmed by an experienced psychiatrist using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. 2. Age between 18 and 60 years; and gender no-limited; 3. The severity of MDD symptoms must be ≥14 scores on the HAMD-17; 4. With CI currently, defined as a total score of \<70 on the SC; 5. A SSRI monotherapy at stable dosages for at least 4 weeks; or medication-free status; 6. Education level above primary school, able to understand and cooperate in completing the study procedures; 7. Voluntarily participating in this study and sign the informed consent before enrollment. 2、Exclusion Criteria: 1. Current or past diagnosis of any disorder other than MDD according to DSM-Ⅳ criteria; 2. The scores on the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) are\>8; 3. The participants who have undergone other intervention in addition to SSRIs whinin the past 6 months or now, or who plan to do that in 1 month; 4. The participants with strong self-blame, self-harm, or suicidal risks (the HAMD-17 suicide item score of ≥3); 5. The participants with severe physical illnesses, including heart failure, renal failure, severe liver dysfunction, hyperthyroidism, or hypothyroidism; Or a history of severe brain trauma or organic brain pathology (e.g., intracerebral hemorrhage, large-area cerebral infarction, encephalitis, epilepsy), as well as neurological diseases; 6. The participants with any degree of retinal pathology, including retinal dystrophy, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma, or other ocular diseases; 7. The participants with photosensitive conditions, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, porphyria, chronic photodermatitis, solar urticaria, or those currently receiving medications that may increase photosensitivity (e.g., phenothiazines, antimalarials, propranolol, hypericin, stimulants, or chronic treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs); 8. Pregnant or lactating women; 9. The participants with contraindications to MRI, such as the presence of non-MRI-safe metallic implants or claustrophobia; 10. The participants deem unsuitable for inclusion in this study by the investigator for other reasons. Withdrawal and Termination Criteria: 1. The participants meet one of the exclusion criteria above after enrollment; 2. When the participants' treatment regimen need change; 3. The participants who fail to cooperate or voluntarily withdraw from the study; 4. Due to severe adverse events, the patients are unable to tolerate phototherapy; 5. The participants who fail to adhere to the study protocol intervention for three consecutive days or for a cumulative duration exceeding seven days; 6. Cancellation of the study. The inclusion and exclusion criteria for Health controls 1\. Inclusion criteria 1. Age between 18 and 60 years; and gender no-limited; 2. Without CI currently, defined as a total score of ≤ 70 on the SC; 3. Education level above primary school, able to understand and cooperate in completing the study procedures; 4. Voluntarily participating in this study and sign the informed consent before enrollment. 2.Exclusion criteria 1. Current or past diagnosis of any psychiatric disorders, or history of substance/drug abuse or dependence; 2. Current or past diagnosis of severe somatic diseases, such as heart failure, renal failure, severe liver dysfunction, or hyperthyroidism/hypothyroidism; 3. History of severe traumatic brain injury or organic brain lesions; 4. Pregnant or lactating women; 5. The participants with contraindications to MRI, such as the presence of non-MRI-safe metallic implants or claustrophobia. 6. The participants deem unsuitable for inclusion in this study by the investigator for other reasons.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
2 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Peking University Sixth Hospital
RECRUITINGBeijing, Beijing Municipality, 100191, China
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Yan'an Third People's Hospital
RECRUITINGYanan, Shanxi, China
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