ANHEDONIA

This study tested whether an 8-week program focused on boosting positive emotions could improve how children of mothers with depression process rewards. 73 children aged 8-12 and their mothers participated. The program used cognitive and behavioral skills to up-regulate positive …

This small pilot study tested whether a single 25mg dose of psilocybin, given with psychological support, could help people with treatment-resistant depression who still struggle with anhedonia—the inability to feel pleasure or interest. Twenty adults took either the full dose or…

This study tested whether pramipexole, a drug used for Parkinson's disease, can help people with depression who still have trouble feeling pleasure or motivation despite taking standard antidepressants. 85 adults with depression and significant anhedonia took either pramipexole o…

This study looked at whether adding pramipexole (a drug used for Parkinson's) for 6 months can safely reduce anhedonia — the loss of pleasure or interest — in people with depression. 55 adults who had already been in a shorter trial took pramipexole alongside their usual treatmen…

This study tested an experimental drug called ALTO-203 in 69 adults with moderate major depressive disorder who also had anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure). Participants received either a low dose, a higher dose, or a placebo, and reported their mood and alertness. The goal…

This study tested a personalized form of brain stimulation for people with depression who no longer feel pleasure (anhedonia). Sixty adults received either individualized, standard, or fake magnetic pulses to the brain over one week. The goal was to see if tailoring the stimulati…

This study tested whether adding aticaprant to a standard antidepressant helps adults with major depression who still feel little pleasure or interest (anhedonia). About 444 people took either aticaprant or a placebo pill for 6 weeks. The main goal was to see if depressive sympto…

This pilot study tested whether pramipexole, a drug used for Parkinson's disease, could help people with depression who struggle with anhedonia—the inability to feel pleasure or motivation. Thirteen adults with depression and significant anhedonia took pramipexole alongside their…

This study tested a drug called aticaprant in 513 adults with major depression who still had symptoms—especially loss of interest or pleasure (anhedonia)—even after taking standard antidepressants. Participants took either aticaprant or a placebo pill alongside their usual antide…

This small study tested a device called Prism that uses neurofeedback to train the brain to regulate its own activity. Nineteen adults with major depressive disorder and anhedonia (loss of pleasure) were randomly assigned to real or sham training sessions over several weeks. The …

This study looked at anhedonia, a symptom of depression where people lose interest or pleasure in activities. Researchers used brain scans, blood tests, and questionnaires to understand this symptom in 123 young people. Some participants also tried treatments like brain stimulati…

This study looked at how inflammation affects the brain's reward system in 40 younger women with depression. Participants received either an endotoxin (to trigger temporary inflammation) or a placebo, and researchers measured changes in how they responded to rewards like money or…

This study looked at how inflammation affects feelings of pleasure and motivation in older adults (ages 60-80) with anxiety. Researchers used brain scans and computer tasks to measure reward responses. The goal was to better understand the link between anxiety, inflammation, and …