Altered food liking in depression is driven by macronutrient composition.

ABSTRACT: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by changes in appetite and body weight as well as blunted reward sensitivity (‘anhedonia’). However, it is not well understood which mechanisms are driving changes in reward sensitivity, specifically regarding food. Here, we used a sample of 117 participants (54 patients with MDD and 63 healthy control participants [HCPs]) who completed a food cue reactivity task with ratings of wanting and liking for 60 food and 20 non-food items. To evaluate which components of the food may contribute to altered ratings in depression, we tested for associations with macronutrients of the depicted items. In line with previous studies, we found reduced ratings of food wanting (p = .003) but not liking (p = .23) in patients with MDD compared to

SUBMITTER: Thurn L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12017361 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature