Circadian rest-activity disturbances in children with seasonal affective disorder

Author(s): Teicher, M. H., Polcari, A., McGreenery, C. E., Ito, Y.

Journal/Book: J Amer Acad Child Adolesc Psy. 1997; 36: 351 West Camden St, Baltimore, MD 21201-2436. Williams & Wilkins. 188-195.

Abstract: Objective: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) affects from 1.7% to 5.5% of children. Previous studies found that nonseasonally depressed children had a blunted circadian rhythm, white adults with SAD had a delayed and poorly entrained rhythm. The purpose of this study was to determine whether pediatric SAD more closely resembles nonseasonal pediatric depression or adult SAD. Method: Twelve normal, healthy volunteers (11.6 +/-: 3.7 years; 6 female, 6 male) and 14 unmedicated children with SAD (11.0 +/- 3.3 years; 9 female, 5 male) meeting Rosenthal/NIMH criteria for SAD and Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Epidemiologic version criteria for major depression had their levels of activity recorded for 72 hours (weekdays) using belt-worn actigraphs. Results: The SAD group had blunted circadian amplitudes that were 10% lower than normal (p=.004). They were more poorly modeled by the standard cosinor equation (p=.001), and a circadian rhythm accounted for 39% less of the variability in their activity profile (p=.007). The amplitude of the 12-hour harmonic rhythm was markedly increased. There were no differences between SAD and control children in the timing of the circadian rhythm and degree of entrainment. Conclusions: Children with SAD displayed dysregulated circadian activity rhythms comparable with those reported in nonseasonally depressed children, yet different from those observed in adults.

Note: Article Glod CA, Mclean Hosp, Dev Biopsychiat Res Program, 115 Mill St, Belmont,MA 02178 USA

Keyword(s): seasonal affective disorder; depression; children and adolescents; biological rhythms; activity; NOCTURNAL SERUM MELATONIN; ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE; LOCOMOTOR-ACTIVITY; BEHAVIOR PROFILE; ACTIVITY RHYTHMS; LIGHT THERAPY; AGED 6-11; DEPRESSION; ADOLESCENTS; DYSREGULATION

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