In a recent study published in the journal Translational Psychiatry , researchers from University College London discussed the possible mechanisms through which depression impacts motivation and its association with inflammation. They also proposed a novel framework for understanding the pathways through which exercise increases interest and motivation and alleviates depressive symptoms. Study: From movement to motivation: a proposed framework to understand the antidepressant effect of exercise .
Image Credit: Dragana Gordic / Shutterstock Depression is a growing mental health concern and is associated with significant levels of disability across the world. Depressive symptoms, such as persistent low mood, fatigue, cognitive impairments, anhedonia, or a lack of interest or pleasure in the activities of life, are categorized as interest-activity symptoms. These symptoms contribute substantially to depression-associated disability by hindering work, social interactions, and life satisfaction.
The response to treatments such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors is also low in most patients, possibly due to the mechanistic heterogeneity of the disease. Interest activity symptoms are strongly associated with impaired motivation. Especially in patients with anhedonia, the lack of reward processing leads to a reluctance to exert effort.
Given the role of dopamine in motivation and reward processing, dopaminergic agents have also been explored as treatment options, but their su.