Treating teen depression by targeting sleep and the body clock
Official title: A Confirmatory Efficacy Trial of Engaging a Novel Sleep/Circadian Rhythm Target as Treatment for Depression in Adolescents
Funded at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles · NIH-11340260 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project offers a sleep- and circadian-focused therapy for teens (ages 12–20) with major depression who tend to stay up late.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hospital of Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $778,871 |
| NIH project number | 7R01MH129558-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11340260 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adolescents aged 12–20 with diagnosed Major Depressive Disorder who show an evening circadian preference (prefer later sleep–wake times).
✕Less likely to help
Teens without a late sleep–wake preference, whose depression is driven by other primary causes, or who cannot engage in behavioral therapy sessions may be unlikely to benefit.
What this research studies
I am a teenager with depression and a late sleep schedule, and this project uses a behavioral therapy called TranS-C to help shift sleep timing and improve mood. The team will measure biological night timing using saliva melatonin tests (DLMO) and track wake times to see if aligning sleep with the body clock helps symptoms. Participants receive structured therapy sessions focused on sleep habits, timing, and circadian routines and are compared to an active control group. The trial follows youth over time to confirm earlier promising results and check whether mood improvements last.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, this therapy could reduce depressive symptoms and suicide risk by improving sleep timing and circadian alignment in teens.
How similar studies have gone: A prior small trial of TranS-C in 42 adolescents with depression and evening preference showed better depression trajectories for one year versus an active control, so this trial aims to confirm those findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Asarnow, Lauren — Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Asarnow, Lauren
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Sleep, mood, and mouth bacteria in teens and young adults
A teen/young adult study will look at how sleep patterns and circadian rhythms relate to the bacteria in the mouth and to depression.
-
Using a new sleep and circadian rhythm approach to treat depression in teenagers
This study is looking at a new sleep therapy to help teenagers with depression who like to stay up late, by helping them get their sleep patterns in sync with their natural body clocks to see if it can lift their mood and improve their mental health.
-
How social and body clock changes affect depression during menopause
This study is looking at how social interactions and daily rhythms affect mood in women going through menopause, whether or not they have depression, to help find better ways to support their mental health during this time.
-
Biotype-based Personalization of Antidepressant Augmentation in Late-Life Depression
A multi-site study will test a computer-guided approach to choosing the best augmentation option for older adults with treatment-resistant depression.
-
Suubi-Mhealth: a mobile app to help Ugandan youth with HIV manage depression and ART adherence
A mobile app designed for 14–17 year olds in Uganda aims to support mental health and keep HIV treatment on track.
-
Group-based postpartum depression prevention: in-person vs. virtual delivery
A large study is testing whether the ROSE group program delivered virtually to pregnant people is just as helpful as the in-person version in preventing postpartum depression.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.