Behavioural Inhibition and Behavioural Activation Systems in current and recovered major depression participants

A number of theorists have proposed that the Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS) and the Behavioural Activation System (BAS) could be abnormal in subjects with depression. Subjects with major depression (MD) could show a hyperactive BIS and a hypoactive BAS. Individual differences in BIS and BAS activity were examined among depressed, recovered and non-depressed participants. Using the Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire, 15 participants with current MD, 35 participants recovered from MD, and 30 non-psychiatric controls were assessed. Compared to non-psychiatric controls, participants with current MD showed a hyperactive BIS and a hypoactive BAS, while participants recovered from MD showed similar BIS activity and a hypoactive BAS. Overall, results suggest that a hypoactive BAS could be a trait–vulnerability marker for MD even after recovery.