Probing brain reward system function in major depressive disorder: altered response to dextroamphetamine
by
Tremblay LK, Naranjo CA, Cardenas L, Herrmann N, Busto UE.
Psychopharmacology Research Program,
University of Toronto,
Sunnybrook & Women's College Health Sciences Centre,
2075 Bayview Ave, Room F-327,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4N 3M5.
claudio.naranjo@utoronto.ca
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2002 May;59(5):409-16

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The state of the brain reward system in major depressive disorder was assessed with dextroamphetamine, which probes the release of dopamine within the mesocorticolimbic system, a major component of the brain reward system, and produces measurable behavioral changes, including rewarding effects (eg, euphoria). We hypothesized that depressed individuals would exhibit an altered response to dextroamphetamine due to an underlying brain reward system dysfunction reflected by anhedonic symptoms. METHODS: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel study, the behavioral and physiological effects of a single 30-mg dose of oral dextroamphetamine sulfate were measured. Forty patients with a diagnosis of DSM-IV major depressive disorder who were not taking antidepressant medications (22 assigned to dextroamphetamine and 18 to placebo) were compared with 36 control subjects (18 assigned to dextroamphetamine and 18 to placebo) using validated self-report drug effect measurement tools (eg, the Addiction Research Center Inventory), heart rate, and blood pressure. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis showed that severity of depression as measured by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression correlated highly with the rewarding effects of dextroamphetamine in the depressed group (model R(2) = 0.63; interaction P =.04). A subsequent analysis categorizing the depressed group into patients with severe symptoms (Hamilton score >23) and those with moderate symptoms revealed a significant interaction between drug and depression (P =.02). Patients with severe symptoms reported rewarding effects 3.4-fold greater than controls. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest the presence of a hypersensitive response is present in the brain reward system of depressed patients, which may reflect a hypofunctional state and may provide a novel pathophysiologic and therapeutic target for future studies.

D1
Reward
Structure
Selegiline
Roxindole
Dopamine
Amineptine
Pramipexole
Bromocriptine
Methylphenidate
Tranylcypromine
Drugs and reward
The taste of happiness
The dopamine transporter
Dopamine knock-out mice
The pleasure and the pain
Dopamine and reward signalling
Dopamine D1 and D2 receptor stimulation
Dopamine and dopaminergic antidepressants
Opioids for pleasure and dopamine for anticipation?
Caffeine, dopamine/glutamate release in shell of NAc
The mesolimbic dopamine reward circuit in depression
Greater availability of dopamine transporters in depression

Refs
and further reading

HOME
HedWeb
Nootropics
cocaine.wiki
Future Opioids
BLTC Research
MDMA/Ecstasy
Superhapiness?
Utopian Surgery?
The Abolitionist Project
The Hedonistic Imperative
The Reproductive Revolution
Critique of Huxley's Brave New World

The Good Drug Guide
The Responsible Parent's Guide
To Healthy Mood Boosters For All The Family