Abstract: Anhedonia is defined as the diminished capacity to experience pleasure, and it plays a very important role in the aetiology of schizophrenia. However, previous studies focusing on positive emotional experience in schizophrenia often have inconsistent findings. New perspective on reward system indicates that schizophrenia impairs in anticipatory pleasure rather than consummatory pleasure. This kind of deficit may occur in individuals along the spectrum disorders such as schizotypal personality disorders. This review highlights the relationship between reward systems and anhedonia in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Key words: anhedonia, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, schizotypy, reward system, anticipatory pleasure