Cited by 192Neural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorTreatment of Major Depression

Blunted reward responsiveness in remitted depression

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Pechtel, Pia, Dutra, Sunny J., Goetz, Elena L., Pizzagalli, Diego A.·2013·Journal of Psychiatric Research

Abstract

Major depressive disorder has been associated with blunted responsiveness to rewards, but inconsistencies exist whether such abnormalities persist after complete remission. To address this issue, across two independent studies, 47 adults with remitted major depressive disorder (rMDD) and 37 healthy controls completed a Probabilistic Reward Task, which used a differential reinforcement schedule of social or monetary feedback to examine reward responsiveness (i.e., ability to modulate behavior as a function of reinforcement history). Relative to controls, adults with rMDD showed blunted reward responsiveness. Importantly, a history of depression predicted reduced reward learning above and beyond residual depressive (including anhedonic) symptoms and perceived stress. Findings indicate that blunted reward responsiveness endures even when adults are in remission and might be a trait-related abnormality in MDD. More research is warranted to investigate if blunted reward responsiveness may predict future depressive episodes and whether targeting reward-related deficits may prevent the re-occurrence of the disorder.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2013.08.011

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  • Blunted reward learning has been observed in both individuals with current and remitted MDD.

    “Second, blunted reward learning—defined as a diminished ability to modulate behavior as a function of rewards—has been observed in both individuals with current and remitted MDD (Goldstein and Klein, 2014; Pechtel et al, 2013; Pizzagalli, 2014).”

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  1. First M Spitzer R Gibbon M Williams J Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR Axis I Disorders researchversion non-patient edition (SCID-I/NP) 2002 New York Biometrics Research New York State Psychiatric Institute

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Authors
Pechtel, P., Dutra, S. J., Goetz, E. L., & Pizzagalli, D. A.
Affiliations
  • Harvard University (US)
  • Yale University (US)
Corresponding author
  • Pechtel, Pia
  • Pizzagalli, Diego A.
Venue
Journal of Psychiatric Research
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2013-12
Volume
47
Issue
12
Pages
1864-1869
ISSN
0022-3956 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2142577246
Cited by
192
References
42
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 25 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 22 · 2014: 8
FWCI
7.50
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Psychiatric Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • Harvard University
  • Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
  • National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH101521, R01MH095809, R01MH068376, R21MH078979, R01 MH68376)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
Keywords
remitted depression, reward learning, probabilistic reward task, differential reinforcement, anhedonia, residual depressive symptoms, perceived stress
MeSH terms
Adult, Depressive Disorder, Major, Major Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Learning Disabilities, Male, Neuropsychological Tests, Probability, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Reaction Time, Regression Analysis, Reward, Young Adult

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