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Anhedonia in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD): State-of-the-art consensus review

Andrew J Cutler1, Anita H Clayton2, Andrew D Krystal3

  • 1SUNY Upstate Medical University, Lakewood Ranch, FL, USA.

Psychiatry Research
|June 18, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Anhedonia, a core symptom of major depressive disorder (MDD), is understudied and undertreated. This consensus provides recommendations for healthcare professionals on assessing and managing anhedonia to improve patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Neuroscience
  • Clinical Psychology

Background:

  • Anhedonia is a prevalent symptom in major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder.
  • It is linked to functional impairment, suicidality, and poor treatment response.
  • Anhedonia is currently understudied and undertreated, lacking specific diagnostic scales and targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To enhance healthcare professional (HCP) awareness and understanding of anhedonia.
  • To provide consensus-based recommendations for assessing, managing, and treating anhedonia in MDD patients.
  • To address the need for improved evaluation and treatment strategies for anhedonia.

Main Methods:

  • An expert consensus group of six psychiatrists convened via teleconference in January 2024.
  • The group developed 14 consensus statements on anhedonia assessment, management, and treatment in MDD.
  • The consensus reviewed existing tools for assessing anhedonia's components and ongoing research into its neural circuitry.

Main Results:

  • Anhedonia encompasses anticipatory, consummatory, and cognitive aspects.
  • Existing tools can assess specific components of anhedonia.
  • Neural circuitry underlying anhedonia is progressively being understood.

Conclusions:

  • HCPs should routinely assess all facets of anhedonia using clinical scales.
  • Novel treatments specifically targeting anhedonia are needed.
  • Future research should focus on treatment efficacy and comprehensive outcome monitoring for anhedonia.
Keywords:
AnhedoniaMajor depressive disorder

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