The circadian basis of winter depression.

The following test of the circadian phase-shift hypothesis for patients with winter depression (seasonal affective disorder, or SAD) uses low-dose melatonin administration in the morning or afternoon/evening to induce phase delays or phase advances, respectively, without causing sleepiness. Correlations between depression ratings and circadian phase revealed a therapeutic window for optimal alignment of circadian rhythms that also appears to be useful for phase-typing SAD patients for the purpose of administering treatment at the correct time. These analyses also provide estimates of the circadian component of SAD that may apply to the antidepressant mechanism of action of appropriately timed bright light exposure, the treatment of choice.

The Oregon Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine career development program: innovation in research training for complementary and alternative medicine.

Background: The burgeoning use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) highlights the need for high-quality research to discriminate between those approaches based on positive anecdotes or polished marketing and those that are consistently effective and safe.

Description: To help meet this need, the Oregon Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has developed an innovative program to train researchers. The training program includes an individual mentoring and training plan, group mentoring, a clinical research class, proposal development, completion of an actual study, and journal club participation.