Depressed children may respond less robustly to rewards

New York, Dec 16 : Brains of children who are clinically depressed react less robustly to success and rewards as compared to other children who are not depressed.

The study showed that when a child, as young as four years old, does not seem to be excited by rewards, such as toys and gifts, it may be a sign that the child is depressed or prone to depression.

Decreased ability to enjoy activities and play, remain persistently sad, irritable or less motivated, who feel excessively guilty about wrongdoing and those who experience changes in sleep and appetite also may be at risk.

"The pleasure we derive from rewards -- such as toys and gifts -- motivates us to succeed and seek more rewards. Dampening the process early in development is a serious concern because it may carry over to how a person will approach rewarding tasks later in life," said Joan L. Luby, Director of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, US.