Motivational Deficits and Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia: Concepts and Assessments

  • L. Felice Reddy
  • William P. Horan
  • Michael F. Green
Chapter
First Online:
Part of the Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences book series (CTBN, volume 27)

Abstract

Recent years have seen a resurgence of interest in motivational disturbances in schizophrenia . This is largely driven by the recognition that these disturbances are central to the “experiential” subdomain of negative symptoms and are particularly important determinants of functional disability. Research into the causes and treatment of experiential negative symptoms is therefore a high priority. This chapter reviews findings from experimental psychopathology and affective science relevant to understanding the neurobehavioral processes that underlie these negative symptoms. We focus on abnormalities in four processes that have received the most attention as likely contributors: anticipatory pleasure, reward learning, effort-based decision-making, and social motivation. We also review the research literature on pharmacological and psychosocial approaches to reduce functional deficits attributable to negative symptoms. Translational research is beginning to inform the development of new treatments specifically designed to target the experiential subdomain of negative symptoms.

Keywords

Negative symptoms Motivation Schizophrenia Neurobehavioral Reward learning Effort-based decision-making Social motivation 
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Copyright information

© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015

Authors and Affiliations

  • L. Felice Reddy
    • 1
  • William P. Horan
    • 1
  • Michael F. Green
    • 1
  1. 1.VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare SystemUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesUSA

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