Psychiatria pre prax 4/2013

Agomelatine in the treatment of anhedonia in patients with major depressive disorder

Anhedonia, the lack of interest or pleasure, is considered to be a core feature of major depressive disorder. Anhedonia in depressed patients reflects the inability to sustain engagement of structures involved in positive affect and reward – related processes. There is evidence to suggest that antidepressants that enhance noradrenergic and dopaminergic activity may afford a therapeutic advantage over serotonergic antidepressants in the treatment of symptoms associated with a reduction in positive affect. The possible effects of agomelatine on anhedonia may represent novel area of research interest among antidepressants agents.

Keywords: major depressive disorder, anhedonia, agomelatine.