Deep loss of pleasure related to early-onset dementia

– Loss of pleasure has been shown to be a key feature in early-onset dementia (FTD), in contrast to Alzheimer’s disease.

– The scans showed a deterioration of the gray matter in the so-called brain pleasure system.

– These regions were different from those involved in depression or apathy, suggesting a possible treatment goal.

People with early-onset dementia are often confused with depression and now Australian research has discovered the cause: a profound loss of the ability to experience pleasure (e.g., a delicious meal or a beautiful sunset) related to depression. degeneration of “hedonic hot spots” in the brain. where the mechanisms of pleasure are concentrated.

Research led by the University of Sydney revealed marked degeneration or atrophy in the frontal and striated areas of the brain related to decreased reward seeking in patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

Researchers believe it is the first study to demonstrate profound anhedonia (the clinical definition of loss of the ability to experience pleasure) in people with FTD.

Anedonia is also common in people with depression, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder and can be particularly disabling for the individual.

In the study, patients with FTD (which usually affects people aged 40 to 65 years) showed a dramatic decline from the onset of pre-disease, in contrast to patients with Alzheimer’s disease, who did not were found with clinically significant anhedonia.

The results point to the importance of considering anhedonia as a major feature of FTD presentation, where researchers found neural conductors in areas other than apathy or depression.

The findings were published today in the leading journal of neuroscience, Brain.

The lead author of the paper, Professor Muireann Irish, of the Center for the Brain and Mind at the University of Sydney and the Faculty of Psychology at the Faculty of Science, said that despite the increase in evidence of motivational disorders, no study had previously explored the ability to experience pleasure in people with FTD.

“Much of the human experience is motivated by a willingness to experience pleasure, but we often take that ability for granted.

“But keep in mind what it might be like to lose the ability to enjoy the simple pleasures of life; this has strong implications for the well-being of people affected by these neurodegenerative disorders.

“Our findings also reflect the functioning of a complex network of brain regions, which indicate possible treatments,” said Professor Irish, who also recently published an article in Brain on moral reasoning in FTD.

“Future studies will be essential to address the impact of anhedonia on daily activities and report on the development of specific interventions to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.”

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This is the first study, according to the researchers’ knowledge, to demonstrate a profound anedonia in FTD, which reflects the loss of gray matter density in the frontal and striated regions of the brain. Interestingly, anedonia was not present in a group of participants with Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting that this symptom is specific to FTD.

A total of 172 participants were recruited, including 87 FTDs, 34 participants from Alzheimer’s disease. Using brain imaging, the researchers found that pleasure-related loss of degeneration in a discrete set of regions of the so-called brain pleasure system.

The study, led by the University of Sydney, includes researchers affiliated with the Center for Excellence in Cognition and its ARC Disorders, the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the Black Dog Institute.

DECLARATION: The authors have no opposing interests to declare.