The purpose of this study is to determine whether bright light improves the sleep, mood, and behavior of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD) who live in long-term care settings and, if so, to determine the best timing for the light therapy. The light levels being used in the study have been shown to improve depression in persons with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and to relieve sleep problems in persons with jet lag and other body rhythm disturbances. Because persons with AD often will not remain still in front of a fluorescent panel, this project has involved renovations in the study units that provide for even, regulated, high-intensity light in all public areas of the study settings.

Condition	Treatment or Intervention	Phase
Alzheimer's Disease Dementia	Device: high-intensity light therapy	Phase III

Ages Eligible for Study:  55 Years and above,  Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Criteria

Inclusion criteria:

• Diagnosis of dementia
• Residence on study units

Exclusion criteria:

• Bipolar disorder
• Severe retinal (eye) disease

North Carolina
      John Umstead Hospital, Butner,  North Carolina,  27514,  United States; Recruiting

Study chairs or principal investigators

Philip D. Sloane, MD, MPH,  Principal Investigator

Study ID Numbers:  1 R01 AT00212-01A1; SloaneP
Record last reviewed:  October 2004
Record first received:  July 31, 2003
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:  NCT00065689
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on 2004-11-18