Cognitive Signatures of Depressive and Anhedonic Symptoms and Affective States Using Computational Modeling and Neurocognitive Testing

Abstract

Background: Deeper phenotyping may improve our understanding of depression. Because depression is heterogeneous, extracting cognitive signatures associated with severity of depressive symptoms, anhedonia, and affective states is a promising approach.

Methods: Sequential sampling models decomposed behavior from an adaptive approach-avoidance conflict task into computational parameters quantifying latent cognitive signatures. Fifty unselected participants completed clinical scales and the approach-avoidance conflict task by either approaching or avoiding trials offering monetary rewards and electric shocks.

Results: Decision dynamics were best captured by a sequential sampling model with linear collapsing boundaries varying by net offer values, and with drift rates varying by trial-specific reward and aversion, reflecting net evidence accumulation toward approach or avoidance. Unlike conventional behavioral measures, these computational parameters revealed distinct associations with self-reported symptoms. Specifically, passive avoidance tendencies, indexed by starting point biases, were associated with greater severity of depressive symptoms (R = 0.34, p = .019) and anhedonia (R = 0.49, p = .001). Depressive symptoms were also associated with slower encoding and response execution, indexed by nondecision time (R = 0.37, p = .011). Higher reward sensitivity for offers with negative net values, indexed by drift rates, was linked to more sadness (R = 0.29, p = .042) and lower positive affect (R = -0.33, p = .022). Conversely, higher aversion sensitivity was associated with more tension (R = 0.33, p = .025). Finally, less cautious response patterns, indexed by boundary separation, were linked to more negative affect (R = -0.40, p = .005).

Conclusions: We demonstrated the utility of multidimensional computational phenotyping, which could be applied to clinical samples to improve characterization and treatment selection.

Keywords: Anhedonia; Approach-avoidance conflict; Computational phenotyping; Computational psychiatry; Depression; Sequential sampling modeling.