Bright Light Therapy for Teen Depression: JAMA Trial Results

Does Bright Light Therapy Help Hospitalized Teens with Severe Depression?

A randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Psychiatry examined whether the effects of adolescent psychiatric inpatient treatment as usual for major depressive disorder can be enhanced by simultaneous use of morning bright light therapy. This study of 224 adolescents found that 4-week inpatient treatment as usual augmented by bright light therapy was not superior to treatment as usual plus placebo red light. Both groups showed significant reductions in depressive symptoms, and there were no serious adverse events during the trial caused by light-related interventions.

Read more

Weakened Brain Network Connectivity in Adolescent Depression

How does depression affect teenage brain networks?

Depression significantly weakens brain network communication in teenagers, impairing attention switching and increasing rumination. Brain imaging shows reduced connectivity between key networks during rest.

Depression disrupts communication between the salience network and default mode network, explaining why depressed teenagers struggle with attention and get trapped in rumination patterns.

What the data show:

• Network disruption: salience and default mode networks disconnect
• Attention impact: impaired ability to switch between internal/external focus
• Rumination: increased negative thought patterns
• Cognitive effects: problems concentrating on tasks and schoolwork
• Developmental vulnerability: adolescent brain networks particularly susceptible

Adolescent depression significantly weakens the communication between the brain’s salience network and default mode network during rest, explaining characteristic attention difficulties and rumination patterns.

Read more