Understanding how brain activity affects pleasure-seeking behavior in depression

Causal role of delta-beta coupling for goal-directed behavior in anhedonia

NIH-funded research Florida State University · NIH-10927445

This study is looking at how the brain works when people have trouble feeling pleasure, which often happens with depression, to help find better ways to treat those who struggle with this issue.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionFlorida State University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Tallahassee, United States)
Project IDNIH-10927445 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the brain mechanisms behind anhedonia, a condition where individuals struggle to seek and experience pleasure, often linked to depression. By examining the neural circuits involved in reward-based decision-making, the study aims to understand how decreased brain activity in specific areas affects goal-directed behavior. Using advanced techniques like functional MRI and EEG, researchers will explore the relationship between different brain wave patterns and the ability to pursue rewarding experiences. The goal is to identify potential targets for improving treatment strategies for those suffering from anhedonia.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with depression who experience significant anhedonia.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have depression or do not experience symptoms of anhedonia may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic approaches for treating anhedonia in patients with depression.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated the involvement of neural circuits in anhedonia, but this study aims to provide novel causal insights into these mechanisms.

Where this research is happening

Tallahassee, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.