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anhedonia

·July 27, 2023·4 min read

Amotivation and Anhedonia Key to Social Functioning in Schizophrenia

Amotivation and anhedonia, rather than expressive dysfunction, are crucial to determining the social functioning of individuals with schizophrenia. The transdiagnostic network analysis examined the relationship between negative symptoms, other psychopathologies, and social functioning in patients with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 27, 2023·4 min read

A Drug That Increases Dopamine Can Reverse the Effects of Inflammation on the Brain in Depression

Levodopa, a drug commonly prescribed for the treatment of Parkinson's disease that increases dopamine in the brain was found to reverse the effects of neuroinflammation on the reward system and improve symptoms associated with depression.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 24, 2023·6 min read

When Chronic Stress Activates These Neurons, Behavioral Problems Like Loss of Pleasure and Depression Result

Anhedonia and depression arise when POMC neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus become hyperactive as a result of chronic stress. Reducing the activity also reduces feelings of depression and loss of pleasure.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·November 2, 2022·3 min read

Individuals With Schizophrenia and Social Anhedonia Show Altered Neural Processing for Social Reward Anticipation

People with schizophrenia and social anhedonia exhibit altered neural processing for social reward processing, leading to impaired social interaction and social dysfunction.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 11, 2022·3 min read

Motivation/Pleasure Deficits, Not Expression Impairments, Contribute to Social Dysfunction in Schizophrenia Patients

Amotivation and anhedonia rather than expressive dysfunction play a critical role in determining social functioning in those with schizophrenia.

Featured Neuroscience Pain Psychology

·October 18, 2021·5 min read

Brain Circuitry Identified That May Be Responsible for Negative Emotional Aspects of Pain

A new rodent study uncovers a neural circuit in the brain that appears to govern pain-induced anhedonia. Altering the activity of this circuit restored motivation in pre-clinical models of pain.

This shows a woman standing alone in a crowd

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 16, 2021·3 min read

Real-Life Social Network in Schizophrenia Patients and Individuals With Social Anhedonia

Both those with schizophrenia and those with social anhedonia have alterations in the social brain network and a diminished correlation with real-world social network size.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 6, 2021·4 min read

Functional Brain Network Predicts Real-Life Social Network in Both Individuals With Schizophrenia and Social Anhedonia

Patients with schizophrenia, but not those with social anhedonia, exhibited deficits in real-life social network size. Those with schizophrenia and those with social anhedonia had reversals functional connectivity to one another. People with schizophrenia showed decreased segregation and functional connectivity in brain areas associated with social behaviors, while those with social anhedonia had an increase in connectivity and segregation.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·April 12, 2021·5 min read

Profound Loss of Pleasure Related to Early-Onset Dementia

Study links anhedonia, or the loss of pleasure, to the early onset of frontotemporal dementia. Neuroimaging revealed symptoms of anhedonia were marked by atrophy in the frontal and striatal brain areas of those with FTD.

This shows a sad looking man looking out of a window at the rain

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 3, 2021·6 min read

Researchers Identify Brain Ion Channel as New Approach to Treating Depression

Ezogabine, a drug that opens up the KCNQ2/3 type potassium channel, significantly improved symptoms of depression and anhedonia.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 14, 2021·3 min read

The Science Behind Why Hobbies Can Improve Our Mental Health

From helping to reduce depression to boosting dopamine in the reward system, researchers review how taking up a hobby can have positive effects on mental health.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 16, 2020·2 min read

The molecular mechanisms of depression

Study reveals how the brain's opioid system is linked to mood changes associated with depression and anxiety. Neuroimaging revealed, in those with depression, there is a decreased number of opioid receptors in specific areas of the brain.

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anhedonia

Amotivation and Anhedonia Key to Social Functioning in Schizophrenia

A Drug That Increases Dopamine Can Reverse the Effects of Inflammation on the Brain in Depression

When Chronic Stress Activates These Neurons, Behavioral Problems Like Loss of Pleasure and Depression Result

Brain Circuitry Identified That May Be Responsible for Negative Emotional Aspects of Pain

Profound Loss of Pleasure Related to Early-Onset Dementia

Researchers Identify Brain Ion Channel as New Approach to Treating Depression

The Science Behind Why Hobbies Can Improve Our Mental Health

AI-Enhanced Imaging: Probing Brain’s Visual Processing

High ‘Good Cholesterol’ Linked to Dementia Risk

Cannabis and Alcohol Co-use Impacts Adolescent Brain and Behavior

Sleep Loss Impairs Decision-Making

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