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On the overlap between apathy and depression in dementia
S E Starkstein1, L Ingram, M L Garau
1Raul Carrea Institute of Neurolgical Research, Buenos Aires, Argentina. ses@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|July 19, 2005
Summary
Apathy is a distinct behavioral dimension in Alzheimer's disease (AD), separate from depression. While depression involves apathy and anxiety, apathy itself is linked to cognitive decline in AD patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Gerontology
Background:
- Apathy is a common behavioral abnormality in dementia.
- The relationship between apathy and depression in dementia is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the psychometric properties of a structured interview for apathy.
- To investigate the overlap between apathy and depression in dementia patients.
Main Methods:
- 150 Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients were assessed.
- Comprehensive psychiatric and cognitive evaluations were performed.
Main Results:
- 12% of patients had both apathy and depression; 7% had apathy only; 31% had depression only.
- Apathy, unlike depression, correlated with greater cognitive impairment.
- Apathy and anxiety explained 65% of the variance in depression scores.
Conclusions:
- The Structured Interview for Apathy shows good psychometric properties.
- Apathy is a behavioral dimension independent of depression in AD.
- Depression in dementia largely comprises apathy and anxiety symptoms.