Research Found Link Between Loss of Pleasure and Dementia

(Newswire.net — July 19, 2022) Orlando, FL — An increasing number of research studies has been revealing various aspects of neurodegenerative conditions like dementia.

One has shown a link between profound loss of pleasure and early-onset dementia.

Individuals with early-onset dementia are often thought to have depression. This University of Sydney-led research has discovered that a profound loss of ability to experience pleasure, such as towards delicious meal or beautiful sunset is related to the degeneration of ‘hedonic hotspots’ in the brain. It is worth noting the hotspots are where pleasure mechanisms are concentrated.

The investigators revealed that there is a marked degeneration or atrophy, in frontal and striatal areas of the brain linked with diminished reward-seeking, in individuals with frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

They believe that it is the first study to highlight profound anhedonia in people with FTD. It is worth noting that Anhedonia is the clinical definition of a loss of ability to experience a pleasure. It is prevalent in individuals with depression, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder and is found to be particularly disabling for the individual.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) often impacts individuals between 40 and 65 years of age. In the study, patients with FTD exhibited a dramatic drop from the pre-disease onset. It was in contrast to patients with Alzheimer’s disease, who did not exhibit clinically significant anhedonia.

The findings of this interesting research were published in the leading neuroscience journal called Brain. 

The results highlight the relevance of considering anhedonia as a primary presenting FTD feature. It is worth noting that in this research, the investigators found neural drivers in certain areas distinct from depression or apathy.

“Despite increasing evidence of motivational disturbances, no study had previously explored the capacity to experience pleasure in people with FTD,” said the paper’s senior author, Professor Muireann Irish from the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre and School of Psychology in the Faculty of Science.

“Much of human experience is motivated by the drive to experience pleasure but we often take this capacity for granted.”

The rates of dementia continue to increase in many areas around the globe. Multiple research studies have shown that while it is incurable, there are ways potentially helpful in protecting the brain from neurodegenerative diseases.

These include the use of a medicinal mushroom called lion’s mane, which has long been linked with a myriad of health benefits. 

It has neuroprotective, cardiovascular-health enhancing, anti-inflammatory, cognitive-decline-fighting, nerve repairing, blood-pressure-lowering, immunity-boosting, cholesterol-regulating, and weight management properties.

Divine Bounty Lion’s Mane is one of the formulas health-conscious and budget-wise consumers turn to nowadays (http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Lions-Mane-Mushroom-Capsules/dp/B07LGR1KN7).