A Neurobiological Model of Anhedonia

Penn State Health

Status: Completed

Conditions: Anhedonia; Depression

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT05629520

STUDY00011450

UL1TR002014 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this research study is to better understand anhedonia in Major Depressive Disorder by investigating the reward-related neural and inflammatory correlates.

Full description

Background: Despite extensive research on the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) relapse rates are as high as 80%. Of those, 30-40% fall into the severe spectrum called treatment resistant depression (TRD) as they fail to respond to at least two lines of antidepressant treatment interventions. TRD has been linked with anhedonia, the inability to experience pleasure or interest in usually enjoyable activities. The neurobiology of anhedonia is poorly understood with recent literature examining an inflammatory association and linking it to deficits in reward-related brain circuitry. The present study examines neurobiological correlates of anhedonia in MDD and TRD, specifically C-Reactive Protein (CRP), IL-6 and ventral striatal (VS) activity. The study also explores whether VS activity mediates the association between inflammation and anhedonia.

Enrollment: 60 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Current diagnosis of MDD based on the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)
• For treatment resistant depression participants: unsuccessful treatment with at least 2 types or doses of antidepressant medication treatment
• Right-handed
• Capacity for informed consent
• Score a 9 or higher on the MADRS

Exclusion criteria

• Comorbid Bipolar Disorder
• Substance use disorder in the last 12 months
• Schizophrenia, and other psychotic disorders
• Comorbid illness such as endocrinological illness (e.g. Cushing's disease) rheumatologic illness (e.g., systemic Lupus erythematosus, current treatment with glucocorticoids), and autoimmune diseases (e.g. psoriasis)
• Pregnancy
• Daily NSAID or aspirin use and any metallic implant
• Visual/Hearing Impairments that would keep participant from being able to complete tasks

Trial design

60 participants in 1 patient group

Participants with Major Depressive Disorder including TRD

Description:

Treatment resistant depression (TRD) participants are defined as participants with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) who fail to respond to at least two lines of antidepressant medication treatment interventions.