Shining a light on depression: new therapy shows promise

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: The age of subjects in the study will be between 18 and 75 years (inclusive). Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MINI). QIDS-C ≥12 at screening. CGI-S ≥4 or higher, i.e., "moderately depressed." Women of childbearing potential must use a double-barrier method of birth control (e.g., condoms plus spermicides) if sexually active. Written informed consent was obtained from the subject in accordance with local regulations prior to enrollment in this study. The subject is willing to participate in this study for at least 12 weeks. Subjects must have been on stable doses of antidepressants (if taking any) for at least six weeks before enrollment. Exclusion Criteria: A decrease in self-reported SDQ from screening to baseline ≥30%, calculated as \[((SDQ\_screening-88) - (SDQ\_baseline-88)) / (SDQ\_screening-88)\] ≥30/100. A score of 88 is considered "normal" on the SDQ. The subject is pregnant or breastfeeding. The subject has failed more than 2 adequate treatments with FDA-approved antidepressants during the current episode according to ATRQ criteria (less than a 50% reduction in depressive symptoms). Structured psychotherapy focused on treating depression (i.e., CBT or IPT) is allowed if initiated at least 8 weeks before the screening visit. Substance dependence or abuse in the past 3 months. History of a psychotic disorder or psychotic episode (current psychotic episode as per MINI evaluation). Bipolar affective disorder (as determined by MINI evaluation). Unstable medical illness, is defined as any medical condition that is not well controlled with standard care medications (e.g., insulin for diabetes mellitus, HCTZ for hypertension). Active suicidal or homicidal ideation (both intent and plan are present), as determined by C-SSRS screening. The subject has a significant skin condition (e.g., hemangioma, scleroderma, psoriasis, rash, open wound, or tattoo) on the scalp near any of the procedure sites. The subject has any type of implant in the head (e.g., stent, clipped aneurysm, embolized AVM, implantable shunt - Hakim valve). Any use of light-activated medications (photodynamic therapy) within 14 days prior to study enrollment (in the U.S.: Visudyne (verteporfin) - for age-related macular degeneration; Aminolevulinic Acid - for actinic keratosis; Photofrin (porfimer sodium) - for esophageal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer; Levulan Kerastick (aminolevulinic acid HCl) - for actinic keratosis; 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) - for non-melanoma skin cancer). Recent history of stroke (within 90 days). The subject had a failed intervention with an FDA-approved device for depression treatment during the current episode (e.g., less than a 50% reduction in depressive symptoms with TMS, ECT, or VNS). History of dementia, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or any other organic neurological disorder.