Efficacy and target engagement of dopamine agonist pramipexole for anhedonic depression: a randomized placebo-controlled trial - Scorecard - MDSpire

Efficacy and target engagement of dopamine agonist pramipexole for anhedonic depression: a randomized placebo-controlled trial

  • By

  • Filip Ventorp

  • Marie Asp

  • Sofia Olsson

  • Jesper Lindahl

  • Stefan Möller

  • Martina Svensson

  • Filip Ängeby

  • Armida Pravdinske

  • Johanna Tjernberg

  • Susann Schrey

  • Darya Ståhl

  • Viktor Magnusson

  • Emilia Eliasson

  • Anna Agelii-Weber

  • Erika Stålhammar

  • Danielle van Westen

  • Tomas Deierborg

  • Kristoffer N. T. Månsson

  • Diego A. Pizzagalli

  • Åsa Hammar

  • Åsa B. Tornberg

  • Johannes Björkstrand

  • Daniel Lindqvist

  • June 12, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Scorecard: Effectiveness and Mechanism of Action of Pramipexole, a Dopamine Agonist, in Treating Anhedonic Depression: Results from a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study

At a Glance

CategoryDetail
Condition
Key MechanismsDopamine agonism targeting the D3 receptor in the mesolimbic pathway.
Target Population
Care Setting

Key Highlights

  • Pramipexole showed robust antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression.
  • The study included a total of 284 patients, with 85 randomized to treatment.
  • Significant anhedonia was defined as 3 or 4 points on three or more items on the Snaith−Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS).

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

    Management

    • Pramipexole can be added to ongoing antidepressant or mood-stabilizing medication.

    Monitoring & Follow-up

    • Monitor changes in total score on the Snaith−Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS).

    Risks

      Patient & Prescribing Data

      Remove unsupported claims about higher doses.

      Clinical Best Practices

        Related Resources & Content

        Original Source(s)

        Efficacy and target engagement of dopamine agonist pramipexole for anhedonic depression: a randomized placebo-controlled trial

        • by Filip Ventorp, Marie Asp, Sofia Olsson, Jesper Lindahl, Stefan Möller, Martina Svensson, Filip Ängeby, Armida Pravdinske, Johanna Tjernberg, Susann Schrey, Darya Ståhl, Viktor Magnusson, Emilia Eliasson, Anna Agelii-Weber, Erika Stålhammar, Danielle van Westen, Tomas Deierborg, Kristoffer N. T. Månsson, Diego A. Pizzagalli, Åsa Hammar, Åsa B. Tornberg, Johannes Björkstrand, Daniel Lindqvist

        • June 12, 2026

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