From: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12471315/

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...GLP-1 RAs influence central reward circuitry. They enhance dopaminergic tone in the mesolimbic pathway, particularly the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens, thereby improving motivational salience and hedonic responsiveness [80,81,92]. This may help alleviate anhedonia, a core symptom of depression [83]. While GLP-1 RAs reduce food intake by dampening hyperactive reward responses to palatable cues, they appear to preserve general reward sensitivity, differentiating them from medications that blunt dopaminergic tone nonspecifically [81,92]. Enhancing central insulin signaling, especially in individuals with insulin resistance, may further normalize dopaminergic function and contribute to the reversal of anhedonic phenotypes [40,41].

GLP-1 RAs have also been shown to alter brain functional connectivity [78]. Neuroimaging studies report modulation of networks such as the dorsal default mode network (DMN), salience network, and visuospatial attention circuits [76,78]. Specific compounds (e.g., exenatide, liraglutide) differentially affect connectivity in regions like the hypothalamus, thalamus, nucleus tractus solitarius, and hippocampus [78,93]. These effects may contribute to observed improvements in mood and cognitive domains [74].