Individual differences in dopamine-related traits influence mood effects of dopamine D2-antagonist and antidepressant treatment expectations

This study demonstrates that dopamine-related individual differences moderate the effects of both sulpiride and a placebo intervention on positive affective state. Significance Statement In one of the first pharmacological studies examining the effects of treatment expectations and dopamine on mood in a large, healthy sample, we observed that lower baseline positive affectivity was linked to stronger mood-elevating treatment responses to both a placebo and a dopamine-related drug over time. This highlights how individual differences in relevant traits can influence treatment effectiveness, offering valuable insights for tailoring personalized approaches to depression care.