# Motivational anhedonia: neurocomputational mechanisms and temporal dynamics

> **NIH NIH F32** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $67,446

## Abstract

The identification of neurobiological mechanisms underlying mental disorders and associated
symptoms is critical for improving diagnostic ability and treatment efficacy. It is widely accepted that the
prevalence of heterogeneity within current diagnostic categories hinders the identification of valid and reliable
biomarkers, and is increasingly appreciated that symptoms themselves are heterogeneous. This is particularly
true for anhedonia, which is a common symptom in the disorders of depression, schizophrenia, substance
dependence and PTSD. Anhedonia is a multi-faceted symptom domain that is known to involve motivational,
anticipatory and hedonic components. Importantly, these different aspects of anhedonia appear to have distinct
neurobiological mechanisms, and improving diagnosis and treatment for this symptom cluster depends on
developing tools for better assessment and classification of anhedonic subtypes. Our group has previously
hypothesized that “motivational anhedonia” may be a subtype of anhedonia with distinct neurobiology as
compared to anhedonia without motivational symptoms. The focus of this F32 fellowship proposal is to isolate
selective behavioral and neural markers that define the motivational anhedonia subtype. To accomplish this
goal, we will (1) apply a new computational modeling framework developed by the applicant to a well-
established measure of effort-based decision-making to more precisely characterize individual effort sensitivity
and to identify individuals with and without motivational anhedonia; (2) use model-based analysis and
functional imaging to validate a motivational anhedonia sub-domain and to identify biomarkers of motivational
anhedonia; and (3) use longitudinal sampling methods (Ecological Momentary Assessment; EMA) to examine
how symptoms of anhedonia contribute to engagement in effortful activity in daily life within-subjects, over time.
Upon completion of the project outlined in this proposal, we will better understand the neurobiological
mechanisms and symptom relationships that differentiate the motivational anhedonia subtype from both
healthy controls and non-motivational anhedonia subtypes. Additionally, this fellowship will enable the
candidate to learn how to integrate her computational modeling background with clinical research, functional
neuroimaging, and EMA methods. If successful, this work will lead to greater diagnostic precision (i.e.
symptom classification in clinical settings) and facilitate the development of personalized treatment plans for
anhedonic patients.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9927497
- **Project number:** 5F32MH115692-03
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Jessica Cooper Robinson
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $67,446
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-05-01 → 2022-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9927497

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9927497, Motivational anhedonia: neurocomputational mechanisms and temporal dynamics (5F32MH115692-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9927497. Licensed CC0.

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