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Apathy and executive function in depressed elderly
Robert S Marin1, Meryl A Butters, Benoit H Mulsant
1The Intervention Research Center for the Study of Late-Life Mood Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania, USA. rmarin@pitt.edu
Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology
|June 13, 2003
Summary
Apathy and executive cognitive dysfunction (ECD) in late-life depression appear independent. This study found no significant link between apathy scores and cognitive measures in elderly depressed patients.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuropsychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Late-life depression presents with apathy and executive cognitive dysfunction (ECD), which are distinct but significant clinical features.
- Understanding the relationship between apathy and ECD is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment of elderly individuals with depression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between apathy and executive cognitive dysfunction (ECD) in elderly patients with major depression.
- To examine the association of apathy and ECD with global cognitive impairment and verbal fluency.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-two elderly subjects with major depression (MMSE ≥ 15) were assessed.
- Apathy was measured using apathy-related items from the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (ApHRSD).
- Executive function was evaluated using the Executive Interview (EXIT), alongside the Dementia Rating Scale (DRS) and Controlled Oral Word Association test (COWA).
Main Results:
- ApHRSD scores showed no significant correlation with ECD measures (EXIT), global cognition (DRS), or word generation (COWA).
- EXIT scores were significantly correlated with DRS and COWA, indicating a relationship between executive function and broader cognitive abilities.
- These findings suggest apathy and ECD may be independent in this cohort.
Conclusions:
- Apathy and executive cognitive dysfunction (ECD) may represent independent constructs in elderly individuals experiencing late-life depression.
- The lack of correlation might be influenced by limited variable variance and the psychometric properties of the apathy scale used.
- Further research with refined measures is needed to clarify the complex interplay between apathy, executive function, and cognition in geriatric depression.