The proposed research will determine whether variations in the gene for melanopsin are correlated with SAD. Melanopsin, a photopigment found in retinal cells projecting to the circadian clock and other brain areas, is implicated in non-visual responses to environmental light. Etiological models and treatment outcome research for SAD suggest that winter-time disruption of retinal light detection may underlie the pathology of SAD. If variations in melanopsin segregate with SAD, melanopsin and retinal light detection will be implicated in the pathology of SAD. Dispositional dysregulation of responsiveness to light cues may provide further research opportunities regarding the significance of melanopsin variants; the interplay between melanopsin, non-visual light detection, circadian rhythms, and SAD; and bio-behavioral issues in treatment development such as mechanistic factors behind the efficacy of bright light therapy.
Specific aims are: (1) to determine if individuals with SAD have a higher prevalence of the identified variant in melanopsin compared to healthy volunteers, and (2) to determine if the melanopsin variant segregates with SAD diagnosis in family members.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31MH072054-02
Application #
7110956
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F12B (20))
Program Officer
Rubio, Mercedes
Project Start
2005-08-18
Project End
2007-08-17
Budget Start
2006-08-18
Budget End
2007-08-17
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$25,562
Indirect Cost
Name
Henry M. Jackson Fdn for the Adv Mil/Med
Department
Type
DUNS #
144676566
City
Bethesda
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
20817
Roecklein, Kathryn A; Rohan, Kelly J; Duncan, Wallace C et al. (2009) A missense variant (P10L) of the melanopsin (OPN4) gene in seasonal affective disorder. J Affect Disord 114:279-85