Brain Signal Study Links Depression to Immediate Desires

Researcher James Cavanagh's work on the Reward Positivity signal could lead to new depression treatment approaches.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

James Cavanagh, a professor of psychology at the University of New Mexico, has been studying a specific brain signal called Reward Positivity that is sensitive to rewards. His research has found that this signal is smaller in people with depression, suggesting a link between depression and the brain's reward processing. Cavanagh hopes this work can be leveraged for clinical benefit, potentially using the Reward Positivity signal as an early indicator of antidepressant response in clinical trials.

Why it matters

Cavanagh's findings challenge the traditional understanding of reward and goal-oriented behavior, showing that the brain may be more focused on immediate desires rather than long-term goals. This could have important implications for how we approach the treatment of depression and other mental health conditions.

The details

Cavanagh and his colleague Clay B. Holroyd from Ghent University have found that the Reward Positivity signal, which emerges 200-500 milliseconds after someone receives a reward, is specifically sensitive to the surprising nature of the reward. This aligns with the theory of reinforcement learning, but the researchers have also found that rewards and goals are not always aligned. For example, choosing water over soda at a restaurant is a goal-oriented decision, even though the soda may be the more rewarding option. Cavanagh believes this distinction between rewards and goals is critical, as it suggests the brain is using higher-order cognitive control systems to manage low-level reward processes.

  • Cavanagh has been studying cognitive neuroscience at the University of New Mexico for 13 years.
  • Cavanagh's most recent publication on the Reward Positivity signal was in 2026.

The players

James Cavanagh

A professor in the department of psychology at the University of New Mexico who has been studying cognitive neuroscience for 13 years.

Clay B. Holroyd

A researcher from Ghent University who collaborated with Cavanagh on the study of the Reward Positivity signal.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This sensitivity to surprise aligns with a foundational theory underlying all learning. Reinforcement learning is a fundamental algorithm that is used to understand learning in humans, vertebrates, computers, etc. It's all based on how surprising rewards are.”

— James Cavanagh, Professor, Department of Psychology (Mirage News)

“A goal can be something you work towards. If you're at Blake's Lotaburger and you're getting a drink, you might decide to get water instead of soda. The reward is the sugar, the soda. The goal is to be healthy.”

— James Cavanagh, Professor, Department of Psychology (Mirage News)

What’s next

Cavanagh hopes to further investigate the Reward Positivity signal and its potential use as an early indicator of antidepressant response in clinical trials for depression.

The takeaway

Cavanagh's work challenges the traditional understanding of reward and goal-oriented behavior, suggesting the brain may be more focused on immediate desires rather than long-term goals. This could lead to new approaches for treating depression and other mental health conditions.