AUTHORS ' CONCLUSIONS No available method ologically sound evidence indicates that melatonin or agomelatine is or is not an effective intervention for prevention of SAD and improvement of patient-centred outcomes among adults with a history of SAD .
A well-conducted RCT of melatonin or agomelatine for prevention of SAD would assess the comparative benefits and risks of these interventions against others currently used to treat the disorder
BACKGROUND Seasonal affective disorder ( SAD ) is a seasonal pattern of recurrent major depressive episodes that most commonly occurs during autumn or winter and remits in spring .
The prevalence of SAD in the United States ranges from 1.5 % to 9 % , depending on latitude .
The predictable seasonal aspect of SAD provides a promising opportunity for prevention .
This is one of four review s on the efficacy and safety of interventions to prevent SAD ; we focus on agomelatine and melatonin as preventive interventions .
OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy and safety of agomelatine and melatonin ( in comparison with each other , placebo , second-generation antidepressants , light therapy , psychological therapy or lifestyle interventions ) in preventing SAD and improving patient-centred outcomes among adults with a history of SAD .
Prophylactic treatment of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) by using light visors: bright white or infrared light?
BACKGROUND Thirty-eight patients with SAD participated in a light visor study addressing two questions . 1 . Can the development of a depressive episode be prevented by daily exposure to bright light started before symptom onset in early fall and continued throughout the winter ? 2 . Does the light have to be visible in order to have beneficial effects ? METHODS Three groups participated in the study : I ( n = 14 ) received bright white light ( 2500 lux ) ; II , ( n = 15 )  received infrared light ( 0.18 lux ) ; III ( n = 9 ,  control group ) did not receive any light treatment at all . RESULTS Infrared light is just as effective as bright white light . Both are more effective than the control condition . CONCLUSIONS Light visors can be effectively used to prevent the development of SAD . The fact that exposure to infrared light was as effective as exposure to bright white light questions the specific role of visible light in the treatment of SAD
AUTHORS ' CONCLUSIONS No available method ologically sound evidence indicates that melatonin or agomelatine is or is not an effective intervention for prevention of SAD and improvement of patient-centred outcomes among adults with a history of SAD .
A well-conducted RCT of melatonin or agomelatine for prevention of SAD would assess the comparative benefits and risks of these interventions against others currently used to treat the disorder
BACKGROUND Seasonal affective disorder ( SAD ) is a seasonal pattern of recurrent major depressive episodes that most commonly occurs during autumn or winter and remits in spring .
The prevalence of SAD in the United States ranges from 1.5 % to 9 % , depending on latitude .
The predictable seasonal aspect of SAD provides a promising opportunity for prevention .
This is one of four review s on the efficacy and safety of interventions to prevent SAD ; we focus on agomelatine and melatonin as preventive interventions .
OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy and safety of agomelatine and melatonin ( in comparison with each other , placebo , second-generation antidepressants , light therapy , psychological therapy or lifestyle interventions ) in preventing SAD and improving patient-centred outcomes among adults with a history of SAD .