Research Centre: Flinders University
Location: Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute: Sleep Health
Lead Researchers: Professor Sean Cain, PhD (Chief Investigator) and Dr Alicia Lander, PhD (Project Leader)
HREC: This study has been reviewed and approved by the Flinders HREC (HREC Project Number 7614)

Depression is the leading cause of disease burden in middle-income and high-income countries. It is characterised by low mood, a loss of interest in or pleasure from things that were previously enjoyable, and other symptoms. Among other factors, it is thought that differences in the circadian system, or ‘body clock,’ may play a role in the development of and treatment of depression.

This study is investigating how differences in the body clock between people with and without depression, and how sleep and the body clock may change during antidepressant treatment.

If you’re currently experiencing depression, you may be eligible to take part and help researchers better understand depression. Sign up today to learn more and to make a difference!

• Participation may allow you to learn about and reflect on your own sleep patterns and body clock.
• Participants will be compensated up to $2000 for participating in this study.
• Participants will be contributing valuable information that may benefit society in the future.
• Understanding differences in the body clock and how these change with treatment may help guide more individualized care choices.

• Your participation is completely voluntary.
• You will receive a detailed outline of all details of the study, including treatment, risks, and procedures, and you will be given the chance to ask study staff questions before you decide whether to participate.
• If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you can withdraw at any time
• Your records relating to this study and any other information received will be kept strictly confidential and stored with a Unique ID code to protect your identity. Only authorized members of the research team will have access to identifiable information, and no information that could identify you will be shared outside this authorized study team, except as required by law.

• Men and women aged 18–35 who are currently experiencing depression or believe they may be
• Must be willing and able to refrain from recreational drug use for 4 weeks before and up to 12 weeks during the study
• Able to remain in the same time zone (ACST) for 3 months before and during the study
• No personal or family history of mental illness such as bipolar disorder, psychosis, or schizophrenia (excluding depression and anxiety)
• Not currently taking any medications (including contraception)
• Not currently pregnant
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Able and willing to participate in a 12-week research study

Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute
Flinders FHMRI Sleep Health team and the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health (AISH) clinic are conducting world-leading transdisciplinary research to advance knowledge of sleep and neuroscience. They are a transdisciplinary team comprising more than 60 health and medical professionals, students, and researchers collectively combining clinical, physiology, psychology, engineering, and epidemiology expertise. They also have external expert and consumer advisory groups that provide well-developed links to internationally based universities, industry partners, professional societies, and representatives of those who matter most: patients and the community.