# The Relationships of Peripheral Inflammation and Reward-Related Brain Function with Anhedonia, Somatic Symptoms and Functional Impairment in Adolescence

> **NIH NIH F31** · TEMPLE UNIV OF THE COMMONWEALTH · 2022 · $34,066

## Abstract

PROJECT
SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Major depression (MD) is a major source of disability affecting millions of people worldwide. Nevertheless, 30-
50% of the depressed population does not respond sufficiently to currently available treatments. Research
suggests that the low treatment response rate may stem from elevated inflammatory signaling and abnormal
reward processing that are not precisely targeted by currently available treatments. However, relationships of
inflammation and abnormalities in reward function with a MD diagnosis are not detected consistently. Emerging
research attributes the inconsistent findings to possible symptom-specific effects of inflammation and
abnormalities in reward-related brain function. Indeed, inflammation and reward abnormalities have been linked
with anhedonia, a cardinal feature of MD defined by decreased interest or pleasure in previously enjoyable
activities, and with melancholic MD characterized by severe anhedonia, somatic symptoms, and functional
impairment commonly modulated by reward function, whereas little evidence supports these abnormalities'
association with cognitive symptoms (e.g., negative cognitions). This suggests a need to examine whether
inflammation and reward abnormalities are relevant to only some MD symptoms. Further, inflammation may
amplify the effect of reward dysfunction on these symptoms, given its role in altering reward-related dopaminergic
tone and basal ganglion function. However, little work has tested these claims. Developmental stage also may
contribute to inconsistent findings on the links of inflammation and reward function with MD. Adolescents may
be particularly vulnerable, given the rapid changes in reward brain function and inflammatory phenotype. Thus,
the proposed study seeks to test the hypotheses that elevated inflammation and low reward-related brain
function, separately, and in interaction, are more strongly associated with anhedonia, somatic symptoms, and
functional impairment than cognitive symptoms, during the vulnerable developmental stage of adolescence. The
proposed study will recruit at least 192 14-16 year-olds varying in trait reward sensitivity who have enrolled in an
assessment of peripheral inflammatory markers and reward-related neural activation and functional connectivity
for my sponsor's NIMH-funded R01, prospective, longitudinal study of first-onset MD. A training plan has been
designed that consists of formal coursework, workshops, experiential learning, and mentorship to develop the
applicant's expertise in the pathophysiology of mood symptoms, psychoneuroimmunology, neuroimaging, and
data analysis necessary to become an independent clinical neuroscientist. Utilizing the Research Domain
Criteria perspective to examine inflammation, reward-related brain function, and individual MD symptoms, this
study can yield greater insight into the role of inflammation and reward-related abnormalities in depressive
psychopathology and clinical implications for interve...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10604699
- **Project number:** 1F31MH132230-01
- **Recipient organization:** TEMPLE UNIV OF THE COMMONWEALTH
- **Principal Investigator:** Ka-Yi Chat
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $34,066
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-16 → 2024-09-15

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10604699

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10604699, The Relationships of Peripheral Inflammation and Reward-Related Brain Function with Anhedonia, Somatic Symptoms and Functional Impairment in Adolescence (1F31MH132230-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10604699. Licensed CC0.

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