Effects of behavioural activation on the neural circuit related to intrinsic motivation. Issue 5 (2nd August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mori, Asako; Okamoto, Yasumasa; Okada, Go; Takagaki, Koki; Takamura, Masahiro; Jinnin, Ran; Ichikawa, Naho; Yamamura, Takanao; Yokoyama, Satoshi; Shiota, Syouichi; Yoshino, Atsuo; Miyake, Yoshie; Okamoto, Yuri; Matsumoto, Madoka; Matsumoto, Kenji; Yamawaki, Shigeto
• Is Part Of: BJPsych open. Volume 4:Issue 5(2018)
• Page Start: 317
• Page End: 323
• Publication Date: 2018-08-02
• Subjects: Behavioural activation, -- intrinsic motivation, -- depressive disorders, -- imaging, -- functional magnetic resonance imaging, -- subthreshold depression; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental health -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2018.40
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2056-4724

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Behavioural activation is an efficient treatment for depression and can improve intrinsic motivation. Previous studies have revealed that the frontostriatal circuit is involved in intrinsic motivation; however, there are no data on how behavioural activation affects the frontostriatal circuit. Aims: We aimed to investigate behavioural activation-related changes in the frontostriatal circuit. Method: Fifty-nine individuals with subthreshold depression were randomly assigned to either the intervention or non-intervention group. The intervention group received five weekly behavioural activation sessions. The participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging scanning on two separate occasions while performing a stopwatch task based on intrinsic motivation. We investigated changes in neural activity and functional connectivity after behavioural activation. Results: After behavioural activation, the intervention group had increased activation and connectivity in the frontostriatal region compared with the non-intervention group. The increased activation in the right middle frontal gyrus was correlated with an improvement of subjective sensitivity to environmental rewards. Conclusions: Behavioural activation-related changes to the frontostriatal circuit advance our understanding of psychotherapy-induced improvements in the neural basis of intrinsic motivation. Declaration of interest: None.