Determining the Role of Social Reward Learning in Social Anhedonia

This is a clinical trial study that aims to evaluate the specificity of the relationship between reduced sensitivity to social reward and social anhedonia at both behavioral and neural levels. Individuals who recently experienced their first-episode psychosis will be recruited. Participants will be randomized 1:1 to motivational interviewing or a time- and format-matched control probe. At pre- and post-probe, participants will perform two social reward learning tasks in the scanner. With this design feature, we will examine the relationship between sensitivity to social reward and reduced subjective experience of social pleasure at both the behavioral and neural levels.

Inclusion Criteria:Age 18-35 yearsA first episode of a psychotic illness that began within the past two yearsDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizophreniform, or schizoaffective disorder (depressed type)Taking 2nd generation antipsychotic medicationsEstimated premorbid IQ not less than 70 as assessed with the Wechsler Test of Adult ReadingAppropriate for scanning (i.e., no pacemaker or metal implants) and expressed willingness to participate in scanningSufficient fluency in English to comprehend testing proceduresCorrected vision of at least 20/30Exclusion Criteria:No evidence that substance use makes the diagnosis ambiguous (rule out substance-induced psychosis)No evidence of moderate or severe alcohol or substance use disorder in the past 3 monthsNo clinically significant disease based on medical history (e.g., epilepsy) or significant head injuryFor females: no current pregnancyNo sedatives or anxiolytics on the day of assessmentNo medication change 3 weeks prior to enrollment