Exploring how memory affects the ability to feel pleasure
Official title: Testing a Memory-Based Hypothesis for Anhedonia
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-10953532 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how people with conditions like depression and PTSD remember happy moments and how that affects their ability to feel pleasure, with the goal of finding better ways to diagnose and treat anhedonia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $631,303 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH128306-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10953532 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 who experience symptoms of anhedonia or related psychiatric conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience anhedonia or are under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates anhedonia, the reduced ability to experience pleasure, which is a common symptom in various psychiatric disorders like depression and PTSD. The study aims to understand the role of memory in anhedonia by examining how individuals recall pleasurable experiences and how this may relate to their current emotional state. By utilizing advanced AI algorithms and biological markers, the research seeks to establish a clearer biological definition of anhedonia, which could lead to improved diagnostic and treatment strategies. Participants may undergo assessments that evaluate their memory and emotional responses to different stimuli.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for individuals suffering from anhedonia and related psychiatric disorders.
How similar studies have gone: While research on anhedonia is growing, this specific approach focusing on memory as a key factor is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yassa, Michael a — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Yassa, Michael a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.