Improving social reward responsivity and social connectedness in psychotherapies for late-life depression: Engage & Connect as an example.

Publication Type Academic Article
Authors Solomonov N
Journal Psychiatry Res
Volume 329
Pagination 115469
Date Published 09/10/2023
ISSN 1872-7123
Keywords Depression, Psychotherapy
Abstract Psychotherapies are effective in reducing late-life depression. Yet, about half of patients remain depressed at treatment end. Advances in neuroscience can inform simplified interventions that target key brain networks impacted by depression. Behavioral activation therapies that increase social connectedness may improve social reward responsivity and alter abnormalities of the Positive Valence System (PVS). Engage & Connect is an example for a scalable and simple neuroscience-informed psychotherapy, aimed to improve PVS functions and social reward responsivity by increasing engagement in rewarding social activities. Interventions that improve social reward responsivity can be promising first-line treatments for late-life depression in the community.
DOI 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115469
PubMed ID 37783093
PubMed Central ID PMC10841452
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