Effects of a Wellbeing Intervention on Inflammation Through Reward and Threat Processes

Description

This study aims to evaluate how savoring influences reward and threat processes and downstream inflammation. Savoring is designed to enhance positive affect, which may blunt stress responses and reduce downstream inflammation. The investigators aim to examine changes in the brain following the savoring intervention. The investigators are particularly interested in changes in brain activity that are correlated with changes in inflammation-related markers in the blood. In this single-armed pilot trial, the investigators will assess how savoring alters reactivity to rewarding and threatening experiences, and then examine related changes in downstream inflammation. The investigators intend to recruit 20 undergraduate students to complete a 7-week standardized savoring intervention. Participants will complete brain scans, daily diaries, questionnaires, a behavioral task, and blood collection at pre- and post-intervention assessments.

Conditions

Low Positive Affect

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

This study aims to evaluate how savoring influences reward and threat processes and downstream inflammation. Savoring is designed to enhance positive affect, which may blunt stress responses and reduce downstream inflammation. The investigators aim to examine changes in the brain following the savoring intervention. The investigators are particularly interested in changes in brain activity that are correlated with changes in inflammation-related markers in the blood. In this single-armed pilot trial, the investigators will assess how savoring alters reactivity to rewarding and threatening experiences, and then examine related changes in downstream inflammation. The investigators intend to recruit 20 undergraduate students to complete a 7-week standardized savoring intervention. Participants will complete brain scans, daily diaries, questionnaires, a behavioral task, and blood collection at pre- and post-intervention assessments.

Effects of a Wellbeing Intervention on Inflammation Through Reward and Threat Processes

Effects of a Wellbeing Intervention on Inflammation Through Reward and Threat Processes

Condition
Low Positive Affect
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Los Angeles

University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90095

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Moderate to moderately severe depression indicated by a PHQ-8 score between 9 and 20
  • * Low positive affect indicated by a PANAS score of less than 24
  • * No anxiety to moderate anxiety indicated by a GAD-7 score of less than 15
  • * 18 to 25 years old
  • * English speaking
  • * Willing to refrain from starting other psychosocial/pharmacological treatments until study completion
  • * MRI contraindications (left-handedness, claustrophobia, colorblindness, pregnancy, metal implants, and BMI above 35)
  • * Presence of disease that may influence inflammation (e.g. asthma requiring inhaler, autoimmune or inflammatory diseases, gum disease, sleep disorder, eating disorder)
  • * Presence of serious medical conditions (e.g. anemia, cancer (current or history), diabetes, endocrine disorder, fibromyalgia, heart problems)
  • * Presence of disease that may impact patterns of neural activity (e.g. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, head trauma, epilepsy, problems with drugs or alcohol)
  • * Use of medications that may influence inflammation in last 6 months
  • * Bupropion, dopaminergic or neuroleptic medications in last 6 months, consistent with other studies that investigate anhedonia, given their potential influence upon reward processing
  • * Current use of heterocyclics and SSRIs if not stabilized for at least 3 months
  • * History of regular (5-7 times per week) drug use (marijuana, cocaine, stimulant use before age of 15)
  • * Current nicotine use (more than 11 cigarettes a week or nicotine equivalent)
  • * Prior or current behavioral activation psychotherapy
  • * Concurrent psychotherapy

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 25 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

University of California, Los Angeles,

Study Record Dates

2025-01-31