A study conducted at Lund University and Region Skåne in Sweden found that pramipexole, a medicine commonly used to treat Parkinson’s disease, may help alleviate symptoms of anhedonia in patients with treatment-resistant depression, according to findings published on June 12.
Researchers explored the use of pramipexole as an add-on therapy for individuals experiencing a reduced ability to feel joy, pleasure, or motivation—a condition known as anhedonia. The study involved patients who had marked anhedonia and were given either pramipexole or a placebo alongside their existing medication over nine weeks.
"Anhedonia is one of the most debilitating symptoms of depression, and something on which current antidepressant therapies often have only a limited effect. Our findings suggest that pramipexole could be an important new therapy option for this patient group," said Daniel Lindqvist, researcher at Lund University and senior consultant in psychiatry at Region Skåne.
According to the researchers, those treated with pramipexole showed greater improvement compared with the placebo group. "Those treated with pramipexole for anhedonia showed a more pronounced improvement compared with the placebo group. The effect persisted during a six-month follow-up period among those patients who chose to continue treatment," said Lindqvist.
The team used advanced brain imaging techniques (7 Tesla fMRI) and activity monitors to assess biological mechanisms and changes in everyday movement. "We found that pramipexole was linked to a positive effect on the brain's reward system and increased physical activity in everyday life. This supports the theory that the drug affects the dopamine system, which plays a key role in motivation and reward processing," said Filip Ventorp, postdoc at Lund University and resident physician at Region Skåne.
Most participants tolerated the treatment well; common side effects included sleep problems, nausea, and dizziness but were generally manageable by adjusting dosage. "Efficacy and safety were maintained over time during the follow-up phase, which is particularly relevant in cases of long-term and treatment-resistant depression. Although most participants in our study tolerated the drug well, it is important to monitor any side effects, such as impaired impulse control and daytime fatigue," said Marie Asp, psychiatric researcher at Lund University.
