Reduced Reward Response Predicts Depression Risk in Teenagers

A recent study has found that adolescents who show reduced neural responses to rewards are at an increased risk of developing depression.

This significant research suggests that a weak reaction to reward feedback serves as a predictor for the initial occurrence of depression, separating it from anxiety or suicidal thoughts.

This correlation remains strong regardless of any pre-existing symptoms of depression or anxiety, and is not influenced by the age or gender of the participants, both of which are already recognized as vital risk factors for depression.

The Rise of Mood and Anxiety Disorders

The rise in mood and anxiety disorders among young people raises serious concerns due to the potential long-term effects on their lives.

Despite the urgency, research has seldom identified clear neural markers indicating a young person’s risk for developing such disorders.

This is especially critical considering that around 50% of children who experience a single episode of depression or anxiety are likely to encounter additional episodes.

Alarmingly, the statistics increase for those with two previous episodes, with about 80% expected to face further occurrences.

Research Findings

Researchers from the University of Calgary monitored 145 adolescents, predominantly female, from families with histories of depressive or anxiety disorders, placing them at a significantly high risk for similar challenges.

These families participated in the Calgary Biopsychosocial Risk for Adolescent Internalizing Disorders (CBRAID) study, a long-term investigation aimed at identifying pre-existing risk factors associated with the first emergence of mood and anxiety disorders during adolescence.

The research team conducted follow-up assessments nine and 18 months after the initial evaluation to determine whether participants had developed major depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, or suicidal thoughts.

The results indicated that a reduced response to reward feedback, known as reward positivity, during an EEG monitoring session while engaging in a game that informed participants of winning or losing, served as a clear indicator of the initial onset of depression, without any relationship to anxiety or suicidal ideation.

This suggests that teenagers who derive less enjoyment or fulfillment from rewards may be especially prone to experiencing their first depressive episode.

Significance of the Study

The lead author of the study notes that existing research indicates children diagnosed with depression or anxiety—conditions that often coexist—typically exhibit a blunted reward response.

The findings propose that the brain’s reaction to rewards could act as a specific marker for depression risk among adolescents, differentiating it from anxiety or suicidal thoughts.

Utilizing EEG to assess the brain’s reward response presents an accessible and cost-effective measurement method.

The editor of Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging emphasizes the study’s significance, highlighting that depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts are interconnected issues that are prevalent and debilitating, particularly during the adolescent years.

While the relationship between reward processing and these conditions is already well-understood, researchers are still exploring whether a weakened response to rewards acts as a precursor for these mental health issues, particularly depression.

Identifying specific biomarkers that indicate the risk of initial occurrences of these disorders is vital for accurately assessing mental health vulnerabilities.

For further information, refer to the study titled “The Reward Positivity as a Predictor of First Lifetime Onsets of Depression, Anxiety, and Suicidal Ideation in High-Risk Adolescents” published in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging.

Study Details:

• Title: The reward positivity as a predictor of first lifetime onsets of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation in high-risk adolescents
• Authors: Gia-Huy L. Hoang et al.
• Journal: Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging
• Publication Date: 2024
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.10.017