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Light therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A circadian medicine approach

Award Number: K23MH137376
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/05/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2029

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Light therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A circadian medicine approach - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by intrusive, distressing thoughts (i.e., obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (i.e., compulsions) and is associated with significant functional impairment. Despite established first-line treatments, non-remission and relapse rates following treatment are high (e.g., ~50%), suggesting the existence of unidentified and untreated mechanisms in OCD. Prior work linking delayed circadian rhythms to OCD suggests this may be one such mechanism and represent a novel treatment target. Light therapy is a behavioral treatment that advances circadian rhythms and has been shown to be effective for reducing symptoms of disorders that are phenomenologically similar to OCD (i.e., posttraumatic stress disorder; Tourette’s disorder). Light is the primary zeitgeber, or environmental time cue, of human circadian rhythms, and light exposure also has direct effects on brain regions implicated in psychopathology. However, no study to date has tested the efficacy of light therapy for OCD. This project will address this gap in the literature by comparing the efficacy of light therapy (n=20) versus placebo light therapy (n=20) for OCD symptom reduction in adults with OCD+delayed bedtimes and examining change in circadian phase as a mechanism. We will also examine photic sensitivity and habitual light exposure patterns in adults with OCD+delayed bedtimes compared to healthy controls (n=25). Participants will complete 2 weeks of baseline sleep and OCD symptom monitoring followed by a baseline dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) and photic sensitivity assessment. Participants will then be randomly assigned to the active or placebo treatment condition and complete 5 weeks of treatment. OCD symptoms and DLMO will be reassessed at the end of treatment. We will examine whether OCD symptoms improve in the active treatment condition compared to the placebo treatment condition and whether change in symptoms is associated with advanced circadian phase. We will also examine whether adults with OCD+delayed bedtimes exhibit heightened light sensitivity and maladaptive habitual light exposure patterns (lower daytime, higher evening light). Results from this study will inform whether delayed circadian rhythms can be targeted for OCD symptom reduction. Through this project, I will complete transdisciplinary training in clinical trials in circadian medicine, advanced methods in light measurement and photic sensitivity, longitudinal modeling, and professional development, service, and scientific writing. This project will also provide me with preliminary data to be competitive for an R01 to facilitate my transition to independence.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $197,981 )
2026	2026	WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, THE	1 BROOKINGS DR	SAINT LOUIS	MO	63130	SAINT LOUIS	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	3	9/8/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$197,981
														Subtotal = $197,981

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $197,981 )
2025	2025	WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, THE	1 BROOKINGS DR	SAINT LOUIS	MO	63130	SAINT LOUIS	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	001	2	9/8/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$197,981
2025	2024	WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, THE	1 BROOKINGS DR	SAINT LOUIS	MO	63130	SAINT LOUIS	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	11/22/2024	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $197,981

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $196,606 )
2024	2024	WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, THE	ONE BROOKINGS DR	SAINT LOUIS	MO	63110	SAINT LOUIS CITY	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	9/5/2024	NEW	$196,606
														Subtotal = $196,606

Grand Total All Awards = $592,568

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Light therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A circadian medicine approach

Award Number: K23MH137376

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/05/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2029

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