Neurosci Biobehav Rev
February 22, 2022
Idil Sezer, Diego A. Pizzagalli, Matthew D. Sacchet
206 citations
This review synthesizes evidence on the relationship between resting-state fMRI functional connectivity and mindfulness in both clinical and non-clinical populations. The authors find that mindfulness practice is associated with altered functional connectivity in brain networks involved in attention, self-referential processing, and emotion regulation. These changes may underlie the psychological benefits of mindfulness, but the review notes that the current evidence is mixed and limited by heterogeneous methodologies and small sample sizes.
medRxiv Preprint Server
June 2, 2025
Mario Bogdanov, Jason N. Scott, Shiba M. Esfand et al.
1 citation
preprint
A single, subanesthetic dose of ketamine improved reward responsiveness in both humans with treatment-resistant depression and chronically-stressed rats, measured using functionally identical tasks. The finding suggests that ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects may involve enhancing reward processing, a core feature of anhedonia. The work provides translational evidence linking preclinical and clinical observations, though the mechanisms remain unclear.
Neuropsychopharmacology
July 10, 2026
Christopher W. Thomas, Kayleigh S. Lamalfa, Tobias P. Whelan et al.
Psilocybin and ketamine acutely increased reward responsiveness in rats, and the effect persisted 24 hours after dosing. The increase from psilocybin, but not ketamine, was blocked by a 5-HT2A receptor antagonist. Other psychedelics, DMT and DOI, also acutely increased reward responsiveness but the effect did not last 24 hours. The non-psychedelic 5-HT2A agonist lisuride and the SSRI fluoxetine had no positive effects. These results suggest psychedelics can produce acute and enduring increases in reward responsiveness, partly through the 5-HT2A receptor, though the time course varies and clinical implications require further validation.