Divergent associations between ghrelin and neural responsivity to palatable food in hyperphagic and hypophagic depression

In the absence of differences in absolute ghrelin levels between the hyperphagic MDD and HC groups, results in hyperphagic MDD might suggest a ghrelinergic signaling mechanism for increased appetite during an MDD episode in this group. Our findings shed light on interactions between appetite hormones and mesolimbic circuitry which could contribute to development of therapeutic targets for opposing appetite phenotypes in depression.