RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

SYNCED - SYNChronized Eating in Bipolar Depression Study

This study, called SYNCED, is exploring a new approach called 'time-restricted eating' (TRE) for people with bipolar depression. Bipolar disorder often disrupts the body's natural day-night clock, which can affect mood. TRE involves eating all your meals within a 10-hour window each day, without changing what or how much you eat. This research aims to see if TRE is a practical and acceptable way to help manage bipolar depression, working alongside current treatments. Participants will either try TRE or receive nutritional advice, while continuing their usual care. Researchers will check if it helps with mood, sleep, and overall health.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Ottawa

Enrolment target

Start

10 Jul 2025

Estimated completion

26 Feb 2027

Bipolar Depression Bipolar I Disorder Bipolar II Disorder

What is this study about?

Imagine your body has an internal clock that helps regulate when you sleep, when you're active, and even when you feel hungry. For people with bipolar disorder, this internal clock can sometimes get out of sync, which might make mood swings or depression worse. This study, called SYNCED, is looking at whether a special way of eating, called 'time-restricted eating' (TRE), could help to reset this clock and improve symptoms.

TRE isn't about dieting or cutting calories. Instead, it's about choosing a 10-hour period each day and eating all your food and drinks (except water) within that timeframe. For example, if you start eating at 9 AM, you'd finish by 7 PM. This study wants to see if this simple change in eating patterns, when combined with your usual medical care, can make a difference for people experiencing bipolar depression.

We don't yet know if TRE helps with mood disorders, as this is the first study of its kind for bipolar disorder. The main goal is to find out if people find TRE easy to follow and if they stick with it. We also want to see if it might help to improve feelings of depression, anxiety, sleep, and how well your brain works. The results from this study will help decide if TRE is a promising new approach that could be offered more widely in the future.

Key takeaways

This study explores a new eating approach for bipolar depression.
It's about *when* you eat, not necessarily *what* or *how much*.
You'll continue your regular bipolar treatment.
The study lasts 8 weeks and involves questionnaires and blood tests.
The main goal is to see if this approach is practical and helpful.
You'll receive support from a dietitian if you take part.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 to 55 who have been diagnosed with bipolar I or bipolar II disorder and are currently experiencing symptoms of depression. You'd need to be able to understand and speak English or French to take part.

There are some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you have certain other medical conditions, an eating disorder, or if you've recently had weight-loss surgery. You also can't be pregnant or breastfeeding, taking certain stimulant medicines, or be on a strict diet or weight loss programme already. If you've just started a new type of talking therapy in the last two months, you might not be eligible either.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 55 years old?
Do you have a diagnosis of bipolar I or II disorder and are currently feeling depressed?
Are you able to speak and understand English or French?
Are you not pregnant or breastfeeding?
Are you not currently on certain stimulant medications or another specific diet plan?
Have you not recently started a new structured talking therapy (like CBT)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll first have a screening visit to check if you're suitable. Once enrolled, you'll continue with your usual medical care for bipolar disorder. The study itself will last for 8 weeks.

You'll be split into two groups: half will receive advice on healthy eating, and the other half will try time-restricted eating (TRE), where you'll eat all your food within a 10-hour window daily. You'll get support from a dietitian throughout the study.

During the 8 weeks, you'll complete questionnaires at the start, after 4 weeks, and at the end of the study. These will ask about your mood, memory, and concentration. You'll also provide a blood sample at the beginning and end to check general health and look for signs of inflammation. For the whole 8 weeks, you'll wear a special watch that tracks your movement and how much light you're exposed to.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer several potential benefits, such as gaining expert nutritional advice and trying a new approach that might help improve your mood, sleep, and overall well-being. However, as with any study, there could be some inconveniences like the time commitment for visits and questionnaires, or the occasional blood test. While time-restricted eating is generally considered safe, it's possible you might experience some initial adjustments. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Verified postcode
Ottawa, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'time-restricted eating'?

It's when you eat all your meals and snacks within a specific timeframe each day – in this study, a 10-hour window – without changing what or how much you eat overall.

Will I have to stop my current medication?

No, you will continue your usual medical care and medications for bipolar disorder throughout the study.

What if I don't like the eating plan I'm given?

You will get support from a dietitian. Remember, you can also leave the study at any point if you wish.

How long will I be involved in the study?

The main part of the study where you follow an eating plan and attend check-ups will last for 8 weeks.

What information will the study collect about me?

The study will collect information about your mood, sleep, and thinking abilities through questionnaires, and basic health markers from blood samples. You'll also wear a watch that tracks your movement.

How to find out more

Deniz Ruscuklu, BA

deruscuklu@ohri.ca 613-737-8899 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.