Researchers Redefine Reward Positivity As Goal Signal

Researchers James F. Cavanagh and Clay B. Holroyd publish a 2025 theoretical review in Trends in Cognitive Sciences reframing the Reward Positivity EEG signal as a goal prediction error rather than a simple dopaminergic reward response. They report the RewP emerges 200–500 ms after positive outcomes and is attenuated in people with depression, suggesting it could serve as an accessible biomarker to predict antidepressant response and monitor neural recovery in clinical trials.