Effects of a Wellbeing Intervention on Inflammation Through Reward and Threat Processes
This study aims to evaluate how savoring influences reward and threat processes and downstream inflammation. Savoring is designed to enhance positive affect, which may blunt stress responses and reduce downstream inflammation. The investigators aim to examine changes in the brain following the savoring intervention. The investigators are particularly interested in changes in brain activity that are correlated with changes in inflammation-related markers in the blood. In this single-armed pilot trial, the investigators will assess how savoring alters reactivity to rewarding and threatening experiences, and then examine related changes in downstream inflammation. The investigators intend to recruit 20 undergraduate students to complete a 7-week standardized savoring intervention. Participants will complete brain scans, daily diaries, questionnaires, a behavioral task, and blood collection at pre- and post-intervention assessments.
- EligibilityCriteria: Inclusion Criteria:  Moderate depression indicated by a PHQ-8 score between 9 and 15; low positive affect indicated by a PANAS score of less than 24; no anxiety to moderate anxiety indicated by a GAD-7 score of less than 15; 18 to 22 years old; English speaking; and willingness to refrain from starting other psychosocial/pharmacological treatments until study completion. Given the small sample size of this study and the lingual limitations of our study staff, we are recruiting only English speaking participants as the burden of translation exceeds the scope of this project.  Exclusion Criteria:  MRI contraindications (left-handedness, claustrophobia, colorblindness, pregnancy, metal implants, and BMI above 35); presence of disease that may influence inflammation (e.g. asthma requiring inhaler, autoimmune or inflammatory diseases, gum disease, sleep disorder, eating disorder); presence of serious medical conditions (e.g. anemia, cancer (current or history), diabetes, endocrine disorder, fibromyalgia, heart problems); presence of disease that may impact patterns of neural activity (e.g. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, head trauma, epilepsy, problems with drugs or alcohol); use of medications that may influence inflammation in last 6 months; bupropion, dopaminergic or neuroleptic medications in last 6 months, consistent with other studies that investigate anhedonia (e.g., Hanuka et al., 2022), given their potential influence upon reward processing; current use of heterocyclics and SSRIs if not stabilized for at least 3 months; history of regular (5-7 times per week) drug use (marijuana, cocaine, stimulant use before age of 15); current nicotine use (more than 11 cigarettes a week or nicotine equivalent); prior or current behavioral activation psychotherapy; and concurrent psychotherapy. - HealthyVolunteers: No - Gender: All - MinimumAge: 18 Years - MaximumAge: 22 Years - StdAgeList: Adult