Hunger hormone may spark motivation in depression
NCT ID NCT05318924
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether giving the hunger hormone ghrelin can increase dopamine release and motivation to work for rewards. Researchers used brain scans and effort tasks in 26 people (healthy volunteers and those with depression). The goal is to understand if boosting ghrelin could help treat low motivation in depression.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Ghrelin (a hunger hormone given as an infusion)
- What this could lead to
- If ghrelin boosts motivation via dopamine, it could point toward new treatments for depression-related lack of drive.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase study in healthy people and a few with depression. Results may not apply to real-world treatment, and ghrelin's effects on mood or appetite could be unwanted.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen
Tübingen, Baden-Wurttemberg, 72076, Germany
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