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Burling JE, Katz Z, Yuan Z, Munro C, Mimmack K, Ma G, Hanseeuw BJ, Papp KV, Amariglio RE, Vannini P, Rentz DM, Quiroz YT, Johnson KA, Sperling RA, Blacker D, Marshall GA, Yang HS, Gatchel JR. Study Partner Report of Apathy in Older Adults is Associated with AD Biomarkers: Findings from the Harvard Aging Brain Study. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2024; 32:909-919. [PMID: 38443298 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2024.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We examined relationships between apathy (self and study-partner-reported) and markers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in older adults. DESIGN The study utilized a well-characterized sample of participants from the Harvard Aging Brain Study (HABS), a longitudinal cohort study. Participants were cognitively unimpaired without clinically significant neuropsychiatric symptoms at HABS baseline. The dependent variables, apathy evaluation scale-self (AES-S) and informant (AES-I), were administered cross-sectionally between years 6-9 and compared to the independent variables, amyloid and tau PET neuroimaging, from the same year. SETTING Community-dwelling participants assessed at research visits in an academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS Participants (n = 170) completed assessments within 1.5 years of their neuroimaging visit. At the time of apathy assessment, N = 156 were cognitively unimpaired and 14 had progressed to mild cognitive impairment (n = 8) or dementia (n = 6). MEASUREMENTS We utilized linear regression models to assess cross-sectional associations of AES-S and AES-I with AD PET imaging measures (beta-amyloid (Pittsburgh Compound B) and tau (Flortaucipir)), covarying for age, sex, education, and the time between PET scan-apathy assessment. RESULTS AES-I was significantly associated with beta-amyloid and temporal lobe tau, and the associations were retained after further adjusting for depressive symptoms. The associations between AES-S and AD biomarkers were not significant. In an exploratory subgroup analysis of cognitively unimpaired individuals with elevated Aβ, we observed an association between AES-I and inferior temporal tau. CONCLUSIONS Study-partner-reported, but not self-reported, apathy in older adults is associated with AD pathology, and we observed this relationship starting from the preclinical stage. Our findings highlight the importance of collateral information in capturing AD-related apathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessa E Burling
- Department of Neurology (JEB, ZY, KM, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, GAM, H-SY), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Zoe Katz
- Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis (ZK), St. Louis, MO
| | - Ziwen Yuan
- Department of Neurology (JEB, ZY, KM, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, GAM, H-SY), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Catherine Munro
- Department of Neurology (CM, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, KAJ, RAS, GAM, H-SY), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Psychiatry (CM, YTQ, DB, JRG), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School (CM, GM, BJH, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, DB, GAM, H-SY, JRG), Boston, MA
| | - Kayden Mimmack
- Department of Neurology (JEB, ZY, KM, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, GAM, H-SY), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Grace Ma
- Harvard Medical School (CM, GM, BJH, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, DB, GAM, H-SY, JRG), Boston, MA; Department of Psychiatry (GM), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Bernard J Hanseeuw
- Harvard Medical School (CM, GM, BJH, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, DB, GAM, H-SY, JRG), Boston, MA; Department of Radiology (BJH), Massachusetts General Research Institute, Boston, MA; Department of Neurology (BJH), Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kathryn V Papp
- Department of Neurology (JEB, ZY, KM, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, GAM, H-SY), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Neurology (CM, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, KAJ, RAS, GAM, H-SY), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School (CM, GM, BJH, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, DB, GAM, H-SY, JRG), Boston, MA
| | - Rebecca E Amariglio
- Department of Neurology (JEB, ZY, KM, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, GAM, H-SY), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Neurology (CM, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, KAJ, RAS, GAM, H-SY), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School (CM, GM, BJH, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, DB, GAM, H-SY, JRG), Boston, MA
| | - Patrizia Vannini
- Department of Neurology (JEB, ZY, KM, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, GAM, H-SY), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Neurology (CM, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, KAJ, RAS, GAM, H-SY), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School (CM, GM, BJH, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, DB, GAM, H-SY, JRG), Boston, MA
| | - Dorene M Rentz
- Department of Neurology (JEB, ZY, KM, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, GAM, H-SY), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Neurology (CM, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, KAJ, RAS, GAM, H-SY), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School (CM, GM, BJH, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, DB, GAM, H-SY, JRG), Boston, MA
| | - Yakeel T Quiroz
- Department of Neurology (JEB, ZY, KM, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, GAM, H-SY), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Psychiatry (CM, YTQ, DB, JRG), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School (CM, GM, BJH, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, DB, GAM, H-SY, JRG), Boston, MA
| | - Keith A Johnson
- Department of Neurology (JEB, ZY, KM, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, GAM, H-SY), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Neurology (CM, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, KAJ, RAS, GAM, H-SY), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School (CM, GM, BJH, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, DB, GAM, H-SY, JRG), Boston, MA; Department of Radiology (KAJ), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Reisa A Sperling
- Department of Neurology (JEB, ZY, KM, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, GAM, H-SY), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Neurology (CM, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, KAJ, RAS, GAM, H-SY), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School (CM, GM, BJH, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, DB, GAM, H-SY, JRG), Boston, MA
| | - Deborah Blacker
- Department of Psychiatry (CM, YTQ, DB, JRG), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School (CM, GM, BJH, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, DB, GAM, H-SY, JRG), Boston, MA; Department of Epidemiology (DB), Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Gad A Marshall
- Department of Neurology (JEB, ZY, KM, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, GAM, H-SY), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Neurology (CM, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, KAJ, RAS, GAM, H-SY), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School (CM, GM, BJH, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, DB, GAM, H-SY, JRG), Boston, MA
| | - Hyun-Sik Yang
- Department of Neurology (JEB, ZY, KM, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, GAM, H-SY), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Department of Neurology (CM, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, KAJ, RAS, GAM, H-SY), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School (CM, GM, BJH, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, DB, GAM, H-SY, JRG), Boston, MA
| | - Jennifer R Gatchel
- Department of Psychiatry (CM, YTQ, DB, JRG), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School (CM, GM, BJH, KVP, REA, PV, DMR, YTQ, KAJ, RAS, DB, GAM, H-SY, JRG), Boston, MA; Department of Psychiatry (JRG), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA; Department of Psychiatry (JRG), McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA; Department of Psychiatry (JRG), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (JRG), Houston, TX.
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2
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Atkins KJ, Andrews SC, Stout JC, Chong TTJ. The effect of Huntington's disease on cognitive and physical motivation. Brain 2024; 147:2449-2458. [PMID: 38266149 PMCID: PMC11224606 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Apathy is one of the most common neuropsychiatric features of Huntington's disease. A hallmark of apathy is diminished goal-directed behaviour, which is characterized by a lower motivation to engage in cognitively or physically effortful actions. However, it remains unclear whether this reduction in goal-directed behaviour is driven primarily by a motivational deficit and/or is secondary to the progressive cognitive and physical deficits that accompany more advanced disease. We addressed this question by testing 17 individuals with manifest Huntington's disease and 22 age-matched controls on an effort-based decision-making paradigm. Participants were first trained on separate cognitively and physically effortful tasks and provided explicit feedback about their performance. Next, they chose on separate trials how much effort they were willing to exert in each domain in return for varying reward. At the conclusion of the experiment, participants were asked to rate their subjective perception of task load. In the cognitive task, the Huntington's disease group were more averse to cognitive effort than controls. Although the Huntington's disease group were more impaired than controls on the task itself, their greater aversion to cognitive effort persisted even after controlling for task performance. This suggests that the lower levels of cognitive motivation in the Huntington's disease group relative to controls was most likely driven by a primary motivational deficit. In contrast, both groups expressed a similar preference for physical effort. Importantly, the similar levels of physical motivation across both groups occurred even though participants with Huntington's disease performed objectively worse than controls on the physical effort task, and were aware of their performance through explicit feedback on each trial. This indicates that the seemingly preserved level of physical motivation in Huntington's disease was driven by a willingness to engage in physically effortful actions despite a reduced capacity to do so. Finally, the Huntington's disease group provided higher ratings of subjective task demand than controls for the cognitive (but not physical) effort task and when assessing the mental (but not the physical) load of each task. Together, these results revealed a dissociation in cognitive and physical motivation deficits between Huntington's disease and controls, which were accompanied by differences in how effort was subjectively perceived by the two groups. This highlights that motivation is the final manifestation of a complex set of mechanisms involved in effort processing, which are separable across different domains of behaviour. These findings have important clinical implications for the day-to-day management of apathy in Huntington's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly J Atkins
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Sophie C Andrews
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
- Thompson Institute, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland 4575, Australia
| | - Julie C Stout
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Trevor T J Chong
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3800, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria 3065, Australia
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3
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Sober J, Woods SP, Webber TA, Thompson Kamar JL, Beltran-Najera I, Gomez EM. Does Social Support Play a Role in the Expression and Everyday Functioning Impact of Apathy in HIV Disease? AIDS Behav 2024:10.1007/s10461-024-04424-w. [PMID: 38904928 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04424-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Clinically notable apathy occurs in approximately one-third of persons living with HIV (PLWH). Drawing from psychological theory, this cross-sectional study examined the interplay between apathy and social support in persons with (n = 143) and without (n = 61) HIV disease. Analyses were conducted using multiple regression and mediation procedures with 95th percentile bootstrap confidence intervals. Positive HIV serostatus and lower social support were associated with more frequent apathy, independent of other mood symptoms. Social support did not moderate apathy's associations with everyday functioning among PLWH, but post hoc analyses revealed that apathy mediated the relationship between social support and everyday functioning among PLWH. Stronger social support may provide a buffer against the frequency of apathy symptoms in persons with and without HIV disease. The relationship between lower social support and poorer everyday functioning in HIV might be partly explained by apathy. Longitudinal research is needed to examine the mechanisms of these relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Sober
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Steven Paul Woods
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
- , 3695 Cullen Blvd, 126 Heyne Building, Suite 239D, Houston, TX, 77004-5022, USA.
| | - Troy A Webber
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- Psychology Division, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jennifer L Thompson Kamar
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- West Los Angeles VA Healthcare Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Elliott M Gomez
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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4
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Wang HJ, Chinna-Meyyappan A, Feldman OJ, Lanctôt KL. Emerging therapies for treatment of agitation, psychosis, or apathy in Alzheimer's disease. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2024:1-15. [PMID: 38822731 DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2024.2363215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Agitation, psychosis, and apathy are prevalent and highly distressing neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) of Alzheimer's disease (AD) that have been linked to numerous negative outcomes, including increased mortality, worsened cognitive decline, and caregiver burden. Current treatments for AD-associated agitation, namely atypical antipsychotics, provide some benefits but may increase the risk of serious adverse events and death. Meanwhile, no pharmacotherapies have been approved by regulatory agencies for the treatment of psychosis or apathy in AD. Over the past decade, many new and repurposed drugs have emerged as potential therapeutic options for managing these challenging NPS. AREAS COVERED This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of pharmacotherapies that have recently been investigated in phase 2 and 3 clinical trials for the treatment of agitation, psychosis, or apathy in AD. EXPERT OPINION Novel atypical antipsychotics, serotonergic antidepressants, cannabinoids, and dextromethorphan combination drugs have shown promising results for alleviating agitation. Pimavanserin appears to be the most effective emerging therapy for psychosis, while methylphenidate has demonstrated good efficacy for apathy. Further research on biomarkers of NPS severity and treatment response, as well as continued improvements in methodological approaches are needed to advance the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Jue Wang
- Neuropsychopharmacology Group, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Arun Chinna-Meyyappan
- Neuropsychopharmacology Group, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Oriel J Feldman
- Neuropsychopharmacology Group, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Krista L Lanctôt
- Neuropsychopharmacology Group, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
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5
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Zeng L, Perin J, Gross AL, Shade D, Lanctôt KL, Lerner AJ, Mintzer JE, Brawman-Mintzer O, Padala PR, van Dyck CH, Porsteinsson AP, Craft S, Levey A, Herrmann N, Rosenberg PB. Adverse effects of methylphenidate for apathy in patients with Alzheimer's disease (ADMET2 trial). Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2024; 39:e6108. [PMID: 38858522 DOI: 10.1002/gps.6108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine clinically important adverse events (AEs) associated with methylphenidate (MPH) treatment of apathy in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) versus placebo, including weight loss, vital signs, falls, and insomnia. METHODS The Apathy in Dementia Methylphenidate Trial 2 (ADMET2) trial was a multicenter randomized, placebo-controlled trial of MPH to treat apathy in individuals with apathy and AD. Participants in ADMET2 had vital signs and weight measured at monthly visits through 6 months. AEs, including insomnia, falls, and cardiovascular events, were reported at every visit by participants and families using a symptom checklist. RESULTS The study included 98 participants in the MPH group and 101 in the placebo group. Participants in the MPH group experienced greater weight loss on average than the placebo through the 6-month follow-up, with a difference in change between MPH and placebo of 2.8 lb (95% confidence interval, CI: 0.7, 4.9 lb). No treatment group differences in change during the trial were found in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. More participants in the MPH group reported falls during the follow-up, 10 versus 6 in MPH and placebo groups, respectively. No differences in post-baseline insomnia were observed between the treatment groups. No participants reported instances of myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, stroke, or cardiomyopathy throughout the study period. CONCLUSIONS MPH use in AD patients for treating apathy is relatively safe, particularly notable given the many medical comorbidities in this population. There was a statistically significant but modest weight loss associated with MPH use, and clinicians are thus advised to monitor weight during MPH treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Zeng
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jamie Perin
- Global Disease Epidemiology and Control, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Alden L Gross
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - David Shade
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Krista L Lanctôt
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alan J Lerner
- University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Jacobo E Mintzer
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Olga Brawman-Mintzer
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Prasad R Padala
- Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | | | - Anton P Porsteinsson
- University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Suzanne Craft
- Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Allan Levey
- Emory Goizueta Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Nathan Herrmann
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul B Rosenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Schade RN, Etheridge CB, Kenney LE, Ratajska AM, Rodriguez K, Lopez FV, Gertler J, Ray A, Santos L, Hess C, Bowers D. Greater Apathy Associated With Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Use in Parkinson's Disease. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 2024:8919887241254471. [PMID: 38780969 DOI: 10.1177/08919887241254471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Apathy, a motivational disorder, is common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and often misdiagnosed as depression. Use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) has been associated with increased apathy in adolescents and adults with depression. Based on observations that serotonin may downregulate dopaminergic systems, we examined the relationship between apathy and SSRI use in individuals with PD. METHODS Medications, mood/motivation scales, and clinical data were collected from a convenience sample of 400 individuals with PD. Depression and apathy were measured using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-Il) and the Apathy Scale (AS). Antidepressant medications were grouped by mechanism type. RESULTS Of the 400 PD patients, 26% were on SSRIs. On standard mood/motivation scales, 38% of the sample exceeded clinical cut-offs for apathy and 28% for depression. Results of hierarchical regression analyses revealed that SSRIs were the only antidepressant that were significantly associated with higher apathy scores (β = .1, P = .02). Less education (β = -.1, P = .01) worse cognition (β = -.1, P = .01), and greater depressive symptoms (β = .5, P < .001) were also significant predictors of apathy. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that use of SSRIs, but not other antidepressants, is associated with greater apathy in PD. Given the interactive relationship between serotonin and dopamine, the current findings highlight the importance of considering apathy when determining which antidepressants to prescribe to individuals with PD. Similarly, switching a SSRI for an alternative antidepressant in individuals with PD who are apathetic may be a potential treatment for apathy that needs further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel N Schade
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Connor B Etheridge
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Lauren E Kenney
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Adrianna M Ratajska
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Katie Rodriguez
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Francesca V Lopez
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Joshua Gertler
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Alyssa Ray
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Lauren Santos
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Christopher Hess
- Department of Neurology, Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida Health, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Dawn Bowers
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Neurology, Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida Health, Gainesville, FL, USA
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7
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Peña-Casanova J, Sánchez-Benavides G, Sigg-Alonso J. Updating functional brain units: Insights far beyond Luria. Cortex 2024; 174:19-69. [PMID: 38492440 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2024.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
This paper reviews Luria's model of the three functional units of the brain. To meet this objective, several issues were reviewed: the theory of functional systems and the contributions of phylogenesis and embryogenesis to the brain's functional organization. This review revealed several facts. In the first place, the relationship/integration of basic homeostatic needs with complex forms of behavior. Secondly, the multi-scale hierarchical and distributed organization of the brain and interactions between cells and systems. Thirdly, the phylogenetic role of exaptation, especially in basal ganglia and cerebellum expansion. Finally, the tripartite embryogenetic organization of the brain: rhinic, limbic/paralimbic, and supralimbic zones. Obviously, these principles of brain organization are in contradiction with attempts to establish separate functional brain units. The proposed new model is made up of two large integrated complexes: a primordial-limbic complex (Luria's Unit I) and a telencephalic-cortical complex (Luria's Units II and III). As a result, five functional units were delineated: Unit I. Primordial or preferential (brainstem), for life-support, behavioral modulation, and waking regulation; Unit II. Limbic and paralimbic systems, for emotions and hedonic evaluation (danger and relevance detection and contribution to reward/motivational processing) and the creation of cognitive maps (contextual memory, navigation, and generativity [imagination]); Unit III. Telencephalic-cortical, for sensorimotor and cognitive processing (gnosis, praxis, language, calculation, etc.), semantic and episodic (contextual) memory processing, and multimodal conscious agency; Unit IV. Basal ganglia systems, for behavior selection and reinforcement (reward-oriented behavior); Unit V. Cerebellar systems, for the prediction/anticipation (orthometric supervision) of the outcome of an action. The proposed brain units are nothing more than abstractions within the brain's simultaneous and distributed physiological processes. As function transcends anatomy, the model necessarily involves transition and overlap between structures. Beyond the classic approaches, this review includes information on recent systemic perspectives on functional brain organization. The limitations of this review are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Peña-Casanova
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Research Group, Neuroscience Program, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Test Barcelona Services, Teià, Barcelona, Spain.
| | | | - Jorge Sigg-Alonso
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurobiology, Institute of Neurobiology, National Autonomous University of México (UNAM), Queretaro, Mexico
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Maher S, Donlon E, Mullane G, Walsh R, Lynch T, Fearon C. Treatment of Apathy in Parkinson's Disease and Implications for Underlying Pathophysiology. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2216. [PMID: 38673489 PMCID: PMC11051068 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13082216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Apathy is a prevalent and highly debilitating non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD) that is often overlooked in clinical practice due to its subtle nature. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current evidence for the treatment of apathy in PD, highlighting recent advancements and emerging therapeutic avenues. In this review, we analyse a diverse array of treatment strategies for apathy in PD, including pharmacological interventions, non-pharmacological approaches, and emerging neuromodulation techniques. We evaluate the efficacy, safety, and limitations of established pharmacotherapies, such as dopaminergic agents, antidepressants, and cognitive enhancers. Additionally, we examine the promising role of non-pharmacological interventions, encompassing psychotherapies and behavioural interventions, in ameliorating apathetic symptoms. Furthermore, this review explores the effects of neuromodulation techniques on apathy, including the modulation of apathy via deep brain stimulation and emerging data on the potential influence of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on apathy in PD. Ultimately, a deeper understanding of effective treatment strategies for apathy has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life and overall well-being of individuals living with PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senan Maher
- Dublin Neurological Institute, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, D07 W7XF Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eoghan Donlon
- Dublin Neurological Institute, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, D07 W7XF Dublin, Ireland
| | - Gerard Mullane
- Dublin Neurological Institute, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, D07 W7XF Dublin, Ireland
| | - Richard Walsh
- Dublin Neurological Institute, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, D07 W7XF Dublin, Ireland
- Academic Unit of Neurology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tim Lynch
- Dublin Neurological Institute, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, D07 W7XF Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Conor Fearon
- Dublin Neurological Institute, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, D07 W7XF Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
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Yi HJ, Tan CH, Hong WP, Yu RL. Development and validation of the geriatric apathy scale: Examining multi-dimensional apathy profiles in a neurodegenerative population with cultural considerations. Asian J Psychiatr 2024; 93:103924. [PMID: 38232445 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2024.103924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Apathy is a common motivational deficit in neurodegenerative diseases, but lacks a culturally sensitive tool accounting for ethnic Chinese culture's impact on motivation initiation. This study developed and validated the Geriatric Apathy Scale (GAS), comprehensively incorporating cultural nuances, setting diagnostic cutoffs, and examining apathy's multi-dimensional aspects in a neurodegenerative cohort. METHODS The 16-item GAS was developed by considering ethnic Chinese cultural characteristics and conducting a literature review. The study involved 296 participants, comprising 113 with Parkinson's disease (PD), 66 with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and 117 healthy controls (HC). All participants completed the GAS, Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), Mini-Mental State Examination, and Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). RESULTS The GAS showed good internal consistency (r = 0.862) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.767). It correlated moderately with the AES (r = 0.639, p < .001), weakly with GDS-15 (r = 0.166, p < .01), and negatively with ADLs (r = -1.19, p < .05). Clinical diagnosis cutoff scores were identified at 15.5 for PD (sensitivity: 0.789; specificity: 0.693) and 12.5 for AD (sensitivity: 0.821; specificity: 0.632). Noteworthy disparities were observed in the Cognition and Social Motivation dimension, with elevated severity in both PD and AD compared to HC (p < .01). Interestingly, within-group comparisons revealed greater apathy severity in the Cognition and Social Motivation dimension for PD (p < .001) and AD (p = .001) versus Emotional Response and Expression and Spontaneous Behavioral Activation. CONCLUSIONS The GAS, a psychometrically validated scale, assesses apathy in neurodegenerative populations, accounting for ethnic Chinese culture's influence. It establishes clinical cutoff points and explores the multi-dimensional nature of apathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Jou Yi
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hsiang Tan
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Pin Hong
- Department of Neurology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Rwei-Ling Yu
- Institute of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Office of Strategic Planning, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
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Jin Y, Li J, Xiao B. Efficacy and safety of neuromodulation for apathy in patients with Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 171:17-24. [PMID: 38237255 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-pharmacological interventions, including noninvasive neuromodulation, may alleviate apathy in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the efficacy and safety of neuromodulation for apathy in elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, and PubMed databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of neuromodulation for apathy in AD or MCI. The primary outcome was change in apathy based on the Apathy Evaluation Scale. Secondary outcomes were change in global cognition and trial discontinuation. RESULTS The meta-analysis included four RCTs involving 89 patients (aged 65.6-80.5 years) with apathy in AD or MCI. Findings showed no significant improvement in apathy (SMD = 0.57, 95% CI = -0.22-1.36; P = 0.16) or global cognition (SMD = 0.83, 95% CI = -0.11-1.78; P = 0.08) with neuromodulation compared to sham. Subgroup analyses showed significant improvement in apathy with high-frequency rTMS at 120% RMT compared to sham (SMD = 1.36, [95% CI = 0.61-2.12]; P = 0.0004), but not with rTMS at 80% RMT. For global cognition, high-frequency rTMS resulted in significant enhancement (SMD = 1.34 [95% CI = 0.59-2.10]; P = 0.0005), but no notable difference was observed with tDCS compared to sham. There was no significant difference in trial discontinuation in patients with AD or MCI treated with neuromodulation compared to sham. CONCLUSION High-frequency rTMS at 120% RMT for four weeks may be efficacious and safe for the treatment of apathy in elderly patients with AD or MCI. High-frequency rTMS may also improve global cognition in these patients. This implies rTMS has potential as an intervention for apathy in AD and MCI. Large well conducted RCTs are warranted to explore this effect further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yushan Jin
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, No. 57 Chang Ping Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Jinbiao Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, No. 58 Zhong Shan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Bo Xiao
- Shantou University Medical College-Faculty of Medicine of University of Manitoba Joint Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Mental Health Center of Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, PR China.
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11
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Zhan Q, Kong F, Shao S, Zhang B, Huang S. Pathogenesis of Depression in Alzheimer's Disease. Neurochem Res 2024; 49:548-556. [PMID: 38015411 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-023-04061-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Depression is a prevalent occurrence among Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, yet its underlying mechanism remains unclear. Recent investigations have revealed that several pathophysiological changes associated with Alzheimer's disease can lead to mood disorders. These alterations include irregularities in monoamine neurotransmitters, disruptions in glutamatergic synaptic transmission, neuro-inflammation, dysfunction within the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis, diminished levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and hippocampal atrophy. This review consolidates research findings from pertinent fields to elucidate the mechanisms underlying depression in Alzheimer's disease, aiming to provide valuable insights for the study of its mechanisms and clinical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyang Zhan
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Fanyi Kong
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Shuai Shao
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, China.
| | - Shuming Huang
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, China
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12
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Béreau M, Kibleur A, Servant M, Clément G, Dujardin K, Rolland AS, Wirth T, Lagha-Boukbiza O, Voirin J, Santin MDN, Hainque E, Grabli D, Comte A, Drapier S, Durif F, Marques A, Eusebio A, Azulay JP, Giordana C, Houeto JL, Jarraya B, Maltete D, Rascol O, Rouaud T, Tir M, Moreau C, Danaila T, Prange S, Tatu L, Tranchant C, Corvol JC, Devos D, Thobois S, Desmarets M, Anheim M. Motivational and cognitive predictors of apathy after subthalamic nucleus stimulation in Parkinson's disease. Brain 2024; 147:472-485. [PMID: 37787488 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Postoperative apathy is a frequent symptom in Parkinson's disease patients who have undergone bilateral deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus. Two main hypotheses for postoperative apathy have been suggested: (i) dopaminergic withdrawal syndrome relative to postoperative dopaminergic drug tapering; and (ii) direct effect of chronic stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus. The primary objective of our study was to describe preoperative and 1-year postoperative apathy in Parkinson's disease patients who underwent chronic bilateral deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus. We also aimed to identify factors associated with 1-year postoperative apathy considering: (i) preoperative clinical phenotype; (ii) dopaminergic drug management; and (iii) volume of tissue activated within the subthalamic nucleus and the surrounding structures. We investigated a prospective clinical cohort of 367 patients before and 1 year after chronic bilateral deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus. We assessed apathy using the Lille Apathy Rating Scale and carried out a systematic evaluation of motor, cognitive and behavioural signs. We modelled the volume of tissue activated in 161 patients using the Lead-DBS toolbox and analysed overlaps within motor, cognitive and limbic parts of the subthalamic nucleus. Of the 367 patients, 94 (25.6%) exhibited 1-year postoperative apathy: 67 (18.2%) with 'de novo apathy' and 27 (7.4%) with 'sustained apathy'. We observed disappearance of preoperative apathy in 22 (6.0%) patients, who were classified as having 'reversed apathy'. Lastly, 251 (68.4%) patients had neither preoperative nor postoperative apathy and were classified as having 'no apathy'. We identified preoperative apathy score [odds ratio (OR) 1.16; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10, 1.22; P < 0.001], preoperative episodic memory free recall score (OR 0.93; 95% CI 0.88, 0.97; P = 0.003) and 1-year postoperative motor responsiveness (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.96, 0.99; P = 0.009) as the main factors associated with postoperative apathy. We showed that neither dopaminergic dose reduction nor subthalamic stimulation were associated with postoperative apathy. Patients with 'sustained apathy' had poorer preoperative fronto-striatal cognitive status and a higher preoperative action initiation apathy subscore. In these patients, apathy score and cognitive status worsened postoperatively despite significantly lower reduction in dopamine agonists (P = 0.023), suggesting cognitive dopa-resistant apathy. Patients with 'reversed apathy' benefited from the psychostimulant effect of chronic stimulation of the limbic part of the left subthalamic nucleus (P = 0.043), suggesting motivational apathy. Our results highlight the need for careful preoperative assessment of motivational and cognitive components of apathy as well as executive functions in order to better prevent or manage postoperative apathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthieu Béreau
- Department of Neurology, NS-PARK/F-CRIN network, University Hospital of Besançon, 25030 Besançon Cedex, France
- UR LINC 481, Université de Franche-Comté, F-2500 Besançon, France
| | - Astrid Kibleur
- LIP/PC2S, Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, 38040 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
| | - Mathieu Servant
- UR LINC 481, Université de Franche-Comté, F-2500 Besançon, France
| | - Gautier Clément
- Department of Neurology, NS-PARK/F-CRIN network, University Hospital of Besançon, 25030 Besançon Cedex, France
| | - Kathy Dujardin
- Lille Neurosciences and Cognition, CHU-Lille, Neurology and Movement Disorders department, NS-Park/F-CRIN network, Univ. Lille, 59037 Lille, France
| | - Anne-Sophie Rolland
- Lille Neurosciences and Cognition, CHU-Lille, Department of Medical Pharmacology, NS-Park/F-CRIN, Univ. Lille, Inserm, 59045 Lille, France
| | - Thomas Wirth
- Service de Neurologie, NS-Park/F-CRIN network, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg et Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Médecine de Strasbourg, 67200 Strasbourg, France
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, INSERM-U964/CNRS-UMR7104/Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch, France
| | - Ouhaid Lagha-Boukbiza
- Service de Neurologie, NS-Park/F-CRIN network, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg et Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Médecine de Strasbourg, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Jimmy Voirin
- Department of Neurosurgery, NS-PARK/F-CRIN network, Strasbourg University Hospital, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Marie des Neiges Santin
- Department of Neurosurgery, NS-PARK/F-CRIN network, Strasbourg University Hospital, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Elodie Hainque
- Assistance publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Inserm, CNRS, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Department of Neurology, NS-Park/F-CRIN network, Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute-ICM, 75014 Paris, France
| | - David Grabli
- Assistance publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Inserm, CNRS, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Department of Neurology, NS-Park/F-CRIN network, Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute-ICM, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Comte
- UR LINC 481, Université de Franche-Comté, F-2500 Besançon, France
- Centre d'investigation clinique Inserm CIC 1431, CHU Besançon, F-25000 Besançon, France
| | - Sophie Drapier
- Department of Neurology, NS-PARK/F-CRIN network, University Hospital of Rennes, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Franck Durif
- CNRS, Clermont Auvergne INP, Institut Pascal, Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, Neurology department, NS-Park/F-CRIN network, Université Clermont Auvergne, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Ana Marques
- CNRS, Clermont Auvergne INP, Institut Pascal, Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, Neurology department, NS-Park/F-CRIN network, Université Clermont Auvergne, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Alexandre Eusebio
- Department of Neurology and Movement Disorders, APHM, Hôpital Universitaire Timone, 13005 Marseille, France
- CNRS, Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, Aix Marseille Univ., 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Philippe Azulay
- Department of Neurology and Movement Disorders, APHM, Hôpital Universitaire Timone, 13005 Marseille, France
- CNRS, Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, Aix Marseille Univ., 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Caroline Giordana
- Department of Neurology, NS-Park/F-CRIN network, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, 06002 Nice, France
| | - Jean-Luc Houeto
- Department of Neurology, NS-Park/F-CRIN network, Limoges University Hospital, Inserm, U1094, EpiMaCT-Epidemiology of chronic diseases in tropical zone, Limoges University Hospital,87042 Limoges, France
| | - Béchir Jarraya
- Neuroscience Pole, NS-Park/F-CRIN network, Hôpital Foch, Suresnes, University of Versailles Paris-Saclay, INSERM-CEA NeuroSpin, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - David Maltete
- Department of Neurology, NS-Park/F-CRIN network, Rouen University Hospital and University of Rouen, 76000 Rouen, France
- INSERM U1239, Laboratory of Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication, 76130 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Olivier Rascol
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Neuroscience, CIC1436, NS-Park/F-CRIN network, NeuroToul Center of Excellence, Toulouse University Hospital, INSERM, CHU of Toulouse, 31000 Toulouse, France
| | - Tiphaine Rouaud
- Department of Neurology, Centre Expert Parkinson, NS-Park/F-CRIN network, CHU Nantes, 44093 Nantes, France
| | - Mélissa Tir
- Department of Neurology, NS-Park/F-CRIN network, Amiens University Hospital, 80000 Amiens, France
| | - Caroline Moreau
- Lille Neurosciences and Cognition, CHU-Lille, Neurology and Movement Disorders department, NS-Park/F-CRIN network, Univ. Lille, 59037 Lille, France
| | - Teodor Danaila
- Department of Neurology, NS-Park/F-CRIN network, Amiens University Hospital, 80000 Amiens, France
| | - Stéphane Prange
- Department of Neurology, NS-Park/F-CRIN network, Amiens University Hospital, 80000 Amiens, France
- Service de Neurologie C, NS-Park/F-CRIN network, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Neurologique Pierre Wertheimer, 69500 Bron, France
| | - Laurent Tatu
- Department of Neurology, NS-PARK/F-CRIN network, University Hospital of Besançon, 25030 Besançon Cedex, France
| | - Christine Tranchant
- Service de Neurologie, NS-Park/F-CRIN network, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg et Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Médecine de Strasbourg, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Corvol
- Assistance publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Inserm, CNRS, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Department of Neurology, NS-Park/F-CRIN network, Sorbonne Université, Paris Brain Institute-ICM, 75014 Paris, France
| | - David Devos
- Lille Neurosciences and Cognition, CHU-Lille, Neurology and Movement Disorders department, NS-Park/F-CRIN network, Univ. Lille, 59037 Lille, France
- Lille Neurosciences and Cognition, CHU-Lille, Department of Medical Pharmacology, NS-Park/F-CRIN, Univ. Lille, Inserm, 59045 Lille, France
| | - Stephane Thobois
- Service de Neurologie C, NS-Park/F-CRIN network, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Neurologique Pierre Wertheimer, 69500 Bron, France
- Institut des Sciences Cognitives Marc Jeannerot, CNRS, UMR5229, 69675 Bron, France
| | - Maxime Desmarets
- Centre d'investigation clinique Inserm CIC 1431, CHU Besançon, F-25000 Besançon, France
- Université de Franche-Comté, EFS, INSERM, UMR RIGHT, 25000 Besançon, France
| | - Mathieu Anheim
- Service de Neurologie, NS-Park/F-CRIN network, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg et Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Médecine de Strasbourg, 67200 Strasbourg, France
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, INSERM-U964/CNRS-UMR7104/Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch, France
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Zhu CW, Grossman HT, Elder GA, Rosen H, Sano M. Apathy in Lewy body disease and its effects on functional impairment over time. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1339190. [PMID: 38313558 PMCID: PMC10835801 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1339190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and objectives Apathy strongly affects function in Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia, however its effect on function in Lewy Body Disease (LBD) has not been well-described. This study aims to (1) examine the prevalence and persistence of apathy in a large, national cohort of well-characterized patients with LBD, and (2) estimate the effect of apathy on function over time. Methods Study included 676 participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia in the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center Uniform Data Set. Participants were followed for an average of 3.4 ± 1.7 years and consistently had a primary diagnosis of LBD. Apathy was defined by clinician judgment, categorized into four mutually exclusive profiles: (1) never apathetic across all visits, (2) at least one but <50% of visits with apathy (intermittent apathy), (3) ≥50% but not all visits with apathy (persistent apathy), and (4) always apathy across all visits. Dementia severity was measured by baseline Clinical Dementia Rating score. Parkinsonism was defined by the presence of bradykinesia, resting tremor, rigidity, gait, and postural instability. Functional impairment was assessed using the Functional Assessment Questionnaire (FAQ). Results Baseline characteristics of the sample were: average age = 72.9 ± 6.9, years of education = 15.6 ± 3.4, Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) = 24.4 ± 5.4, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) = 3.8 ± 3.2, FAQ = 12.0 ± 9.1. 78.8% were male and 89% were non-Hispanic white. Prevalence of apathy increased from 54.4% at baseline to 65.5% in year 4. 77% of participants had apathy at some point during follow-up. Independent of cognitive status and parkinsonian features, FAQ was significantly higher in participants with intermittent/persistent and always apathetic than never apathetic. Annual rate of decline in FAQ was faster in participants who were always apathetic than never apathy. Discussion In this large national longitudinal cohort of LBD patients with cognitive impairment, apathy was strongly associated with greater functional impairment at baseline and faster rate of decline over time. The magnitude of these effects were clinically important and were observed beyond the effects on function from participants' cognitive status and parkinsonism, highlighting the importance of specifically assessing for apathy in LBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn W. Zhu
- Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Hillel T. Grossman
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Gregory A. Elder
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Howie Rosen
- Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Mary Sano
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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Robinson L, Dreesen E, Mondesir M, Harrington C, Wischik C, Riedel G. Apathy-like behaviour in tau mouse models of Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. Behav Brain Res 2024; 456:114707. [PMID: 37820751 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Apathy is the most common behavioural and psychological symptom in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases including frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). In patients, apathy can include symptoms of loss of motivation, initiative, and interest, listlessness, and indifference, flattening of emotions, absence of drive and passion. Researchers have later refined this to a reduction in goal direct behaviours. In animals, specific symptoms of apathy-like behaviour have been modelled including goal directed or nest-building behaviour which are seen as indicative of proxies for motivation and daily activities. In the present study a nest-building protocol was established using four different inbred mouse strains (CD1, BALB/c, C57Bl/6J, C3H) before assessing AD and FTD tau transgenic mice of Line 1 (L1) and Line 66 (L66) in this paradigm. Female mice aged 5 - 6 months were assessed in the home cage over a period of 7 days with nest-building behaviour scored by three independent experimenters at intervals of 1-, 2- and 7-days post nestlet introduction. Inbred mouse strains displayed different levels of nesting behaviour. BALB/c mice were more proficient than CD1 and C3H mice, while all strains displayed similar nest-building behaviour by day 7. In the tau mouse models, L66 presented with impaired nesting compared to wild-type on days 1 and 2 (not day 7), whereas L1 performed like wild-type on all days. Anhedonia measured in a sucrose preference test was only observed in L66. Anhedonia and low nesting scores in L66 mice are indicative of apathy-like phenotypes. Differences evident between the L1 and L66 tau transgenic mouse models are likely due to the different human tau species expressed in these mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianne Robinson
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom.
| | - Eline Dreesen
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Miguel Mondesir
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Charles Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom; TauRx Therapeutics Ltd, 395 King Street, Aberdeen AB24 5RP, United Kingdom
| | - Claude Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom; TauRx Therapeutics Ltd, 395 King Street, Aberdeen AB24 5RP, United Kingdom
| | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom
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Premnath PY, Locascio JJ, Mimmack KJ, Gonzalez C, Properzi MJ, Udeogu O, Rosenberg PB, Marshall GA, Gatchel JR. Longitudinal associations of apathy and regional tau in mild cognitive impairment and dementia: Findings from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (NEW YORK, N. Y.) 2024; 10:e12442. [PMID: 38356477 PMCID: PMC10865481 DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Introduction It is important to study apathy in Alzheimer's disease (AD) to better understand its underlying neurobiology and develop effective interventions. In the current study, we sought to examine the relationships between longitudinal apathy and regional tau burden in cognitively impaired older adults from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. Methods Three hundred and nineteen ADNI participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or AD dementia underwent flortaucipir (FTP) tau positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and clinical assessment with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) annually. Longitudinal NPI Apathy (NPI-A) scores were examined in relation to baseline tau PET signal in three a priori selected regions implicated in AD and AD-related apathy (supramarginal gyrus, entorhinal cortex [EC] and rostral anterior cingulate cortex [rACC]). Secondary models were adjusted for global cognition (Mini-Mental State Examination score) and cortical amyloid (florbetapir PET). Results Higher baseline supramarginal gyrus and EC tau burden were each significantly associated with greater NPI-A over time, while rACC tau was associated with higher NPI-A but did not predict its trajectory over time. These results were retained for supramarginal and EC tau after adjusting models for global cognition and cortical amyloid. Discussion Our findings suggest that baseline in vivo tau burden in parietal and temporal brain regions affected in AD, and less so in a medial frontal region involved in motivational control, is associated with increasing apathy over time in older adults with MCI and AD dementia. Future work studying emergent apathy in relation to not only core AD pathology but also circuit level dysfunction may provide additional insight into the neurobiology of apathy in AD and opportunities for intervention. Highlights Tau (Flortaucipir PET) in regions implicated in AD was associated with increasing apathy over timeCortical amyloid was also found to be a robust predictor of the trajectory of apathyEvidence of synergy between regional tau and amyloid in overall higher levels of apathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranitha Y. Premnath
- Department of PsychologyThe Graduate Center, City University of New YorkNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Joseph J. Locascio
- Department of NeurologyMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of NeurologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Kayden J. Mimmack
- Department of NeurologyMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | | | - Michael J. Properzi
- Department of NeurologyMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of NeurologyAthinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical ImagingCharlestownMassachusettsUSA
| | - Onyinye Udeogu
- Department of NeurologyMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Paul B. Rosenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Gad A. Marshall
- Department of NeurologyMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of NeurologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of NeurologyBrigham and Women's HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Center for Alzheimer Research and TreatmentBrigham and Women's HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Jennifer R. Gatchel
- Division of Geriatric PsychiatryMcLean HospitalBelmontMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTexasUSA
- Department of Veterans AffairsMichael E. DeBakey VA Medical CenterHoustonTexasUSA
- Department of PsychiatryHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
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Chau JPC, Lo SHS, Zhao J, Choi KC, Butt L, Thompson DR. Apathy mediates the association between age and cognition after stroke. Disabil Rehabil 2023:1-6. [PMID: 38153242 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2297921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine if the association between age and post-stroke cognition is mediated by apathy. METHODS A cross-sectional investigation was carried out with 389 stroke survivors and informants. Data were collected through the Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES-C) and the Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). Bivariate analyses were conducted between the IQCODE total score and each of the demographic and clinical characteristics as well as apathy, while Baron and Kenny's 4-step approach was used to examine the mediating effect of apathy on the association between age and post-stroke cognition. RESULTS Participants were aged 64.3 years on average, with a mean IQCODE score of 97.6 (SD: 14.8) and a mean AES-C score of 41.3 (SD: 8.0). IQCODE scores were positively correlated with age (r = 0.32, p < 0.001) and apathy (r = 0.54, p < 0.001). Apathy contributed to 24% of the total effect of age on post-stroke cognition, exerting a significant mediating effect on the relationship between age and post-stroke cognition. CONCLUSIONS Apathy may have a significant impact on the cognitive health of stroke survivors. Therefore, the early identification of apathy symptoms could facilitate consideration of potential interventions, such as multisensory and cognitive stimulation, designed to improve cognitive outcomes in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janita Pak Chun Chau
- Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Suzanne Hoi Shan Lo
- Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Jie Zhao
- School of Nursing, Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Kai Chow Choi
- Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Laveeza Butt
- Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - David R Thompson
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
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17
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Burhan AM. Editorial: Impact of apathy on aging and age-related neuropsychiatric disorders. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1341182. [PMID: 38152356 PMCID: PMC10751326 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1341182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Amer M. Burhan
- Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Whitby, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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18
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Zhao H, Li H, Ding Y, Li Z, Huang Y. The relationship between apathy and nonparametric variables of rest activity rhythm in older adults with cerebral small vessel disease. Chronobiol Int 2023; 40:1574-1581. [PMID: 37990547 DOI: 10.1080/07420528.2023.2282467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
The goal of the current study was to demonstrate if the rest-activity rhythm (RAR) was altered in apathetic older adults with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and find out the relationship between apathy/depression severity and RAR features in CSVD patients. This is a cross-sectional observational investigation including 53 CSVD cases (54.74% men), aged 70.70 ± 6.18 years old. The participants were assessed by neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI) subscale of apathy (NPI-apathy) and depression (NPI-depression) in succession, according to updated diagnostic criteria for apathy (DCA). Each subject wore an actigraph device (ActiGraph GT3X) in their nondominant hand for 7 days to collect raw data. Using a non-parametric methodological analysis, this study determined RAR variables such as interdaily stability (IS), intraday variability (IV) and relative amplitude (RA). Patients in the apathy-positive group had a higher Fazekas score than those in the apathy-negative group. IS, but not IV, RA, or objective sleep variables, differed between elderly patients with varying degrees of CSVD burden. Furthermore, apathy severity was statistically correlated with RA after adjusting for age, gender and education level, whereas depression severity was not associated with RAR variables. Finally, we discovered that the severity of apathy had no significant relationship with the severity of depression. All these findings indicated that the RAR altered in apathetic older adults with CSVD, and apathy was associated with decreased RAR amplitude.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyi Zhao
- Department of Neurology, The Seventh-Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurology, NO 984 Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Medical prevention and military operatiions, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Central Theater Command, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Ding
- Department of Neurology, The Seventh-Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiyi Li
- Department of Neurology, NO 984 Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Yonghua Huang
- Department of Neurology, The Seventh-Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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19
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Teixeira AL, Rocha NP, Gatchel J. Behavioral or neuropsychiatric symptoms of Alzheimer's disease: from psychopathology to pharmacological management. ARQUIVOS DE NEURO-PSIQUIATRIA 2023; 81:1152-1162. [PMID: 38157881 PMCID: PMC10756775 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1777774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric or behavioral symptoms of dementia encompass a series of disorders, such as anxiety, depression, apathy, psychosis, and agitation, all commonly present in individuals living with dementia. While they are not required for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), they are ubiquitously present in all stages of the disease, contributing to negative clinical outcomes, including cognitive decline, functional disability, and caregiver burden. Neuropsychiatric symptoms have been conceptualized not only as risk factors but as clinical markers of decline along the AD spectrum. The concept of "mild behavioral impairment", the behavioral correlate of mild cognitive impairment, has been proposed within this framework. The first steps in the management of behavioral symptoms in AD involve defining the target and investigating potential causes and/or aggravating factors. Once these factors are addressed, non-pharmacological approaches are preferred as first-line interventions. Following the optimization of anticholinesterase treatments, specific pharmacological approaches (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics) can be considered weighing potential side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Lucio Teixeira
- University of Texas University of Texas Health Science Center, McGovern Medical School, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Neuropsychiatry Program, Houston, Texas, United States.
- Faculdade Santa Casa Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte MG, Brazil.
| | - Natalia Pessoa Rocha
- University of Texas Health Science Center, McGovern Medical School, Department of Neurology, Houston, Texas, United States.
| | - Jennifer Gatchel
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
- Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Houston, Texas, United States.
- Michael E. Debakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas, United States.
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20
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Lanctôt KL, Rivet L, Tumati S, Perin J, Sankhe K, Vieira D, Mintzer J, Rosenberg PB, Shade D, Lerner AJ, Padala PR, Brawman-Mintzer O, van Dyck CH, Porsteinsson AP, Craft S, Levey AI, Padala KP, Herrmann N. Heterogeneity of Response to Methylphenidate in Apathetic Patients in the ADMET 2 Trial. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2023; 31:1077-1087. [PMID: 37385898 PMCID: PMC10765607 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Apathy in Dementia Methylphenidate Trial 2 (ADMET 2) found that methylphenidate was effective in treating apathy with a small-to-medium effect size but showed heterogeneity in response. We assessed clinical predictors of response to help determine individual likelihood of treatment benefit from methylphenidate. DESIGN Univariate and multivariate analyses of 22 clinical predictors of response chosen a priori. SETTING Data from the ADMET 2 randomized, placebo controlled multi-center clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS Alzheimer's disease patients with clinically significant apathy. MEASUREMENTS Apathy assessed with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory apathy domain (NPI-A). RESULTS In total, 177 participants (67% male, mean [SD] age 76.4 [7.9], mini-mental state examination 19.3 [4.8]) had 6-months follow up data. Six potential predictors met criteria for inclusion in multivariate modeling. Methylphenidate was more efficacious in participants without NPI anxiety (change in NPI-A -2.21, standard error [SE]:0.60) or agitation (-2.63, SE:0.68), prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEI) (-2.44, SE:0.62), between 52 and 72 years of age (-2.93, SE:1.05), had 73-80 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure (-2.43, SE: 1.03), and more functional impairment (-2.56, SE:1.16) as measured by the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study Activities of Daily Living scale. CONCLUSION Individuals who were not anxious or agitated, younger, prescribed a ChEI, with optimal (73-80 mm Hg) diastolic blood pressure, or having more impaired function were more likely to benefit from methylphenidate compared to placebo. Clinicians may preferentially consider methylphenidate for apathetic AD participants already prescribed a ChEI and without baseline anxiety or agitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista L Lanctôt
- Sunnybrook Research Institute (KLL, LR, ST, KS, DV, NH), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Luc Rivet
- Sunnybrook Research Institute (KLL, LR, ST, KS, DV, NH), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shankar Tumati
- Sunnybrook Research Institute (KLL, LR, ST, KS, DV, NH), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jamie Perin
- Bloomberg School of Public Health (JP, DS), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Krushnaa Sankhe
- Sunnybrook Research Institute (KLL, LR, ST, KS, DV, NH), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Danielle Vieira
- Sunnybrook Research Institute (KLL, LR, ST, KS, DV, NH), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jacobo Mintzer
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center (JM, OB-M), Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Paul B Rosenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (PBR), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - David Shade
- Bloomberg School of Public Health (JP, DS), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Alan J Lerner
- University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center (AJL), Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH
| | - Prasad R Padala
- Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (PRP, KPP), University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
| | - Olga Brawman-Mintzer
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center (JM, OB-M), Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | | | | | | | - Allan I Levey
- Emory Goizueta Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (AIL), Atlanta, GA
| | - Kalpana P Padala
- Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (PRP, KPP), University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
| | - Nathan Herrmann
- Sunnybrook Research Institute (KLL, LR, ST, KS, DV, NH), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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21
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Nijsten JMH, Smalbrugge M, Plouvier AOA, Koopmans RTCM, Leontjevas R, Gerritsen DL. Identifying and managing apathy in people with dementia living in nursing homes: a qualitative study. BMC Geriatr 2023; 23:727. [PMID: 37946109 PMCID: PMC10636808 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-04422-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although apathy is common in people with dementia and has profound negative effects, it is rarely diagnosed nor specifically treated in nursing homes. The aim of this study is to explore experiences in identifying and managing apathy from the perspectives of people with dementia and apathy (PwA), family caregivers (FCs) and professional caregivers (PCs). METHODS Descriptive qualitative study with purposive sampling, comprising eleven semi-structured in-depth interviews with PwA, FCs or PCs and focus groups with twelve PCs in Dutch nursing homes. Seventeen additional in-depth interviews with caregivers were held, after signals of increasing apathy during the first Covid-19 lockdown. Using an inductive approach, data was analysed thematically to explore the experiences in identifying and managing apathy from the perspective of different stakeholders. RESULTS Three themes were identified: 1) the challenge to appraise signals, 2) the perceived impact on well-being, 3) applied strategies to manage apathy. Although participants described apathy in line with diagnostic criteria, they were unfamiliar with the term apathy and had difficulties in appraising signals of apathy. Also, the perceived impact of apathy varied per stakeholder. PwA had difficulties reflecting on their internal state. FCs and PCs experienced apathy as challenging when it reduced the well-being of PwA or when they themselves experienced ambiguity, frustration, insecurity, disappointment or turning away. Dealing with apathy required applying specific strategies that included stimulating meaningful contact, adjusting one's expectations, and appreciating little successes. CONCLUSIONS When addressing apathy in nursing homes, it is important to consider that a) all stakeholders experience that appraising signals of apathy is challenging; b) apathy negatively influences the well-being of people with dementia and especially their FCs and PCs; and c) FCs and PCs can successfully, albeit temporarily, manage apathy by using specific strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna M H Nijsten
- Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- Radboud Alzheimer Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- Archipel, Landrijt Expertise Centre for Specialized Care, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Martin Smalbrugge
- Department of Medicine for Older People, UMC, Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Aging & Later Life, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annette O A Plouvier
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboud Alzheimer Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Raymond T C M Koopmans
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboud Alzheimer Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Waalboog, Joachim and Anna, Centre for Specialized Geriatric Care, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ruslan Leontjevas
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboud Alzheimer Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Psychology, Open University of the Netherlands, Heerlen, The Netherlands
| | - Debby L Gerritsen
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboud Alzheimer Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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22
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Lanctôt KL, Chen C, Mah E, Kiss A, Li A, Shade D, Scherer RW, Vieira D, Coulibaly H, Rosenberg PB, Lerner AJ, Padala PR, Brawman-Mintzer O, van Dyck CH, Porsteinsson AP, Craft S, Levey A, Burke WJ, Mintzer J, Herrmann N. Cost consequence analysis of Apathy in Dementia Methylphenidate Trial 2 (ADMET 2). Int Psychogeriatr 2023; 35:664-672. [PMID: 37066690 PMCID: PMC10579450 DOI: 10.1017/s1041610223000327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This paper used data from the Apathy in Dementia Methylphenidate Trial 2 (NCT02346201) to conduct a planned cost consequence analysis to investigate whether treatment of apathy with methylphenidate is economically attractive. METHODS A total of 167 patients with clinically significant apathy randomized to either methylphenidate or placebo were included. The Resource Utilization in Dementia Lite instrument assessed resource utilization for the past 30 days and the EuroQol five dimension five level questionnaire assessed health utility at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Resources were converted to costs using standard sources and reported in 2021 USD. A repeated measures analysis of variance compared change in costs and utility over time between the treatment and placebo groups. A binary logistic regression was used to assess cost predictors. RESULTS Costs were not significantly different between groups whether the cost of methylphenidate was excluded (F(2,330) = 0.626, ηp2 = 0.004, p = 0.535) or included (F(2,330) = 0.629, ηp2 = 0.004, p = 0.534). Utility improved with methylphenidate treatment as there was a group by time interaction (F(2,330) = 7.525, ηp2 = 0.044, p < 0.001). DISCUSSION Results from this study indicated that there was no evidence for a difference in resource utilization costs between methylphenidate and placebo treatment. However, utility improved significantly over the 6-month follow-up period. These results can aid in decision-making to improve quality of life in patients with Alzheimer's disease while considering the burden on the healthcare system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Clara Chen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Ethan Mah
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alex Kiss
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Abby Li
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dave Shade
- Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Roberta W. Scherer
- Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Hamadou Coulibaly
- Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Alan J. Lerner
- University Hospital – Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Prasad R. Padala
- University of Arkansas for Medical Science, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Olga Brawman-Mintzer
- Medical University of South Carolina and Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Administration Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA
| | | | | | - Suzanne Craft
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | | | | | - Jacobo Mintzer
- Medical University of South Carolina and Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Administration Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA
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23
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Daumas L, Zory R, Junquera-Badilla I, Ferrandez M, Ettore E, Robert P, Sacco G, Manera V, Ramanoël S. How does apathy impact exploration-exploitation decision-making in older patients with neurocognitive disorders? NPJ AGING 2023; 9:25. [PMID: 37903801 PMCID: PMC10616174 DOI: 10.1038/s41514-023-00121-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Apathy is a pervasive clinical syndrome in neurocognitive disorders, characterized by a quantitative reduction in goal-directed behaviors. The brain structures involved in the physiopathology of apathy have also been connected to the brain structures involved in probabilistic reward learning in the exploration-exploitation dilemma. This dilemma in question involves the challenge of selecting between a familiar option with a more predictable outcome, and another option whose outcome is uncertain and may yield potentially greater rewards compared to the known option. The aim of this study was to combine experimental procedures and computational modeling to examine whether, in older adults with mild neurocognitive disorders, apathy affects performance in the exploration-exploitation dilemma. Through using a four-armed bandit reinforcement-learning task, we showed that apathetic older adults explored more and performed worse than non-apathetic subjects. Moreover, the mental flexibility assessed by the Trail-making test-B was negatively associated with the percentage of exploration. These results suggest that apathy is characterized by an increased explorative behavior and inefficient decision-making, possibly due to weak mental flexibility to switch toward the exploitation of the more rewarding options. Apathetic participants also took longer to make a choice and failed more often to respond in the allotted time, which could reflect the difficulties in action initiation and selection. In conclusion, the present results suggest that apathy in participants with neurocognitive disorders is associated with specific disturbances in the exploration-exploitation trade-off and sheds light on the disturbances in reward processing in patients with apathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyne Daumas
- Université Côte d'Azur, LAMHESS, Nice, France.
- Université Côte d'Azur, CoBTeK, Nice, France.
| | - Raphaël Zory
- Université Côte d'Azur, LAMHESS, Nice, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | | | - Marion Ferrandez
- Université Côte d'Azur, CoBTeK, Nice, France
- Université Côte d'Azur, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, service Clinique Gériatrique de Soins Ambulatoires, Centre Mémoire de Ressources et de Recherche, Nice, France
| | - Eric Ettore
- Université Côte d'Azur, CoBTeK, Nice, France
- Université Côte d'Azur, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, service Clinique Gériatrique de Soins Ambulatoires, Centre Mémoire de Ressources et de Recherche, Nice, France
- Association Innovation Alzheimer, Nice, France
| | - Philippe Robert
- Université Côte d'Azur, CoBTeK, Nice, France
- Association Innovation Alzheimer, Nice, France
| | - Guillaume Sacco
- Université Côte d'Azur, CoBTeK, Nice, France
- Université Côte d'Azur, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, service Clinique Gériatrique de Soins Ambulatoires, Centre Mémoire de Ressources et de Recherche, Nice, France
- Association Innovation Alzheimer, Nice, France
- Univ Angers, Université de Nantes, LPPL, SFR CONFLUENCES, 49000, Angers, France
| | - Valeria Manera
- Université Côte d'Azur, CoBTeK, Nice, France
- Association Innovation Alzheimer, Nice, France
| | - Stephen Ramanoël
- Université Côte d'Azur, LAMHESS, Nice, France
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, 75012, Paris, France
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24
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Corveleyn X, Corbel C, Fabre R, Zeghari R, Dujardin K, Robert P, Manera V. Validation study of the apathy motivation index in French adults. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1252965. [PMID: 37928593 PMCID: PMC10624122 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1252965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Apathy is present in many brain disorders, but it is also prevalent to varying degrees in healthy people. While many tools have been developed to assess levels of apathy in pathology, no standardized measure of apathy in healthy people exists. Method Therefore, this study aimed to validate the French version of the Apathy Motivation Index (f-AMI). The results of 729 participants were analyzed using an exploratory factorial analysis. Results Preliminary analyses suggested that the three domains of apathy extracted in the original AMI scale-behavioral activation (BA), social motivation (SM), and emotional sensitivity (ES)-could be found also in the f-AMI. A further exploratory analysis showed that a higher number of factors could be extracted, particularly for women. Specifically, both social and emotional factors could be divided into two sub-factors: (1) social motivation toward strangers or toward an acquaintance and (2) self-directed emotional sensitivity directed toward others. Regarding construct validity, the scores of f-AMI were correlated with the French Dimensional Apathy Scale results. Concerning the divergent validity, emotional sensitivity in apathy is different from depression, anhedonia, and fatigue levels. Conclusion These results suggest that the f-AMI can be used to assess levels of apathy in healthy adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Corveleyn
- LAPCOS, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
- MSHS Sud-Est, Maison des Sciences de l'Homme et de la Société Sud-Est, Nice, France
| | - Camille Corbel
- LAPCOS, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
- MSHS Sud-Est, Maison des Sciences de l'Homme et de la Société Sud-Est, Nice, France
| | - Roxane Fabre
- CoBTeK Lab, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
- Département de Santé Publique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice (Public Health Department University Hospital of Nice), Nice, France
| | | | - Kathy Dujardin
- CHU Lille, Lille Neurosciences and Cognition, INSERM, Université Lille, Lille, France
| | - Philippe Robert
- CoBTeK Lab, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Centre mémoire CMRR, Nice, France
- Association Innovation Alzheimer, Nice, France
| | - Valeria Manera
- CoBTeK Lab, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Centre mémoire CMRR, Nice, France
- Association Innovation Alzheimer, Nice, France
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Harrison F, Mortby ME, Mather KA, Sachdev PS, Brodaty H. Apathy as a determinant of health behaviors in older adults: Implications for dementia risk reduction. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 15:e12505. [PMID: 38026759 PMCID: PMC10668002 DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Long-term improvements in physical inactivity and other behavioral risk factors are integral to dementia risk reduction; however, sustained behavior change is challenging. Apathy, depression, and fatigue may impact engagement in health behaviors, but their presentation overlaps. This study investigates whether these symptoms are differentially associated with multiple health behaviors. METHODS In 1037 community-dwelling older adults without dementia (aged 70-90, 55% women), regression analyses examined apathy, depression, and fatigue as predictors of health behaviors (physical activity, diet, alcohol, smoking) and a behavioral risk index. RESULTS Apathy was associated with reduced physical activity and alcohol use, and one or multiple behavioral risk factors. No or inconsistent relations were found between depression or fatigue and health behaviors. DISCUSSION Apathy is relevant to multiple health behaviors and should be considered when designing health promotion for older adults, including interventions for dementia risk reduction. Findings highlight the importance of distinguishing apathy from comorbid symptoms. Highlights Novel theory-based perspective on behavioural risk factors for dementia.Higher apathy predicted less physical activity and alcohol use, and increased odds of lifestyle risk factors.Depressive symptoms were not associated with any health behavior.Apathy may be a determinant of multiple health behaviors in older adults, distinct from depression and fatigue.Considering apathy in precision prevention of dementia appears warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fleur Harrison
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA)Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental HealthFaculty of Medicine & Health, UNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Moyra E. Mortby
- School of Psychology, UNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- UNSW Ageing Futures Institute, UNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Karen A. Mather
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA)Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental HealthFaculty of Medicine & Health, UNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Perminder S. Sachdev
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA)Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental HealthFaculty of Medicine & Health, UNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- NeuroPsychiatric InstitutePrince of Wales HospitalRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Henry Brodaty
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA)Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental HealthFaculty of Medicine & Health, UNSW SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Older People's Mental Health ServicePrince of Wales HospitalRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
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Cilia R, Piacentini SHMJ, Cummings J. The challenges of finding novel and effective drugs targeting dementia and neuropsychiatric disturbances in PD: Insights from the SYNAPSE trial. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2023; 114:105804. [PMID: 37633806 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2023.105804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Cilia
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Parkinson and Movement Disorders Unit, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Jeffrey Cummings
- Chambers-Grundy Center for Transformative Neuroscience, Department of Brain Health, School of Integrated Health Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), Las Vegas, NV, USA.
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Elefante C, Brancati GE, Ismail Z, Ricciardulli S, Beatino MF, Lepri V, Famà A, Ferrari E, Giampietri L, Baldacci F, Ceravolo R, Maremmani I, Lattanzi L, Perugi G. Mild Behavioral Impairment in Psychogeriatric Patients: Clinical Features and Psychopathology Severity. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5423. [PMID: 37629464 PMCID: PMC10455739 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12165423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The Mild Behavioral Impairment (MBI) concept was developed to determine whether late-onset persistent neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) may be early manifestations of cognitive decline. Our study aims to investigate the prevalence and differentiating features of MBI with respect to major neurocognitive disorders (MNDs) and primary psychiatric disorders (PPDs). A total of 144 elderly patients who were referred to our psychogeriatric outpatient service were recruited. The severity of mental illness was evaluated by means of the Clinical Global Impression Severity scale, the severity of psychopathology was evaluated by means of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), and overall functioning was evaluated by means of the Global Assessment of Functioning scale. The sample included 73 (50.6%) patients with PPDs, 40 (27.8%) patients with MBI, and 31 (21.5%) patients with MNDs. Patients with MNDs reported the greatest severity of mental illness, the highest BPRS Total, Psychosis, Activation, and Negative Symptom scores, and the lowest functioning. Patients with MBI and PPDs had comparable levels of severity of mental illness and overall functioning, but MBI patients reported higher BPRS Total and Negative Symptom scores than PPD patients. Patients with MBI frequently reported specific clinical features, including a higher severity of apathy and motor retardation. These features merit further investigation since they may help the differential diagnosis between MBI and PPDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Elefante
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.E.); (G.E.B.); (S.R.); (M.F.B.); (V.L.); (G.P.)
| | - Giulio Emilio Brancati
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.E.); (G.E.B.); (S.R.); (M.F.B.); (V.L.); (G.P.)
| | - Zahinoor Ismail
- Departments of Psychiatry, Clinical Neurosciences, Community Health Sciences, and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hotchkiss Brain Institute & O’Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada;
- College of Health and Medicine, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QG, UK
| | - Sara Ricciardulli
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.E.); (G.E.B.); (S.R.); (M.F.B.); (V.L.); (G.P.)
| | - Maria Francesca Beatino
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.E.); (G.E.B.); (S.R.); (M.F.B.); (V.L.); (G.P.)
| | - Vittoria Lepri
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.E.); (G.E.B.); (S.R.); (M.F.B.); (V.L.); (G.P.)
| | - Antonella Famà
- Psychiatry Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.F.); (E.F.); (L.L.)
| | - Elisabetta Ferrari
- Psychiatry Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.F.); (E.F.); (L.L.)
| | - Linda Giampietri
- Neurology Unit, Santa Chiara University Hospital, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.G.); (F.B.); (R.C.)
| | - Filippo Baldacci
- Neurology Unit, Santa Chiara University Hospital, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.G.); (F.B.); (R.C.)
| | - Roberto Ceravolo
- Neurology Unit, Santa Chiara University Hospital, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (L.G.); (F.B.); (R.C.)
| | - Icro Maremmani
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.E.); (G.E.B.); (S.R.); (M.F.B.); (V.L.); (G.P.)
- G. De Lisio Institute of Behavioral Sciences, 56127 Pisa, Italy
- Addiction Medicine, Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences (UniCamillus), 00131 Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Lattanzi
- Psychiatry Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.F.); (E.F.); (L.L.)
| | - Giulio Perugi
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (C.E.); (G.E.B.); (S.R.); (M.F.B.); (V.L.); (G.P.)
- G. De Lisio Institute of Behavioral Sciences, 56127 Pisa, Italy
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Dolphin H, Dyer AH, McHale C, O'Dowd S, Kennelly SP. An Update on Apathy in Alzheimer's Disease. Geriatrics (Basel) 2023; 8:75. [PMID: 37489323 PMCID: PMC10366907 DOI: 10.3390/geriatrics8040075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Apathy is a complex multi-dimensional syndrome that affects up to 70% of individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Whilst many frameworks to define apathy in AD exist, most include loss of motivation or goal-directed behaviour as the central feature. Apathy is associated with significant impact on persons living with AD and their caregivers and is also associated with accelerated cognitive decline across the AD spectrum. Neuroimaging studies have highlighted a key role of fronto-striatial circuitry including the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), orbito-frontal cortex (OFC) and associated subcortical structures. Importantly, the presence and severity of apathy strongly correlates with AD stage and neuropathological biomarkers of amyloid and tau pathology. Following from neurochemistry studies demonstrating a central role of biogenic amine neurotransmission in apathy syndrome in AD, recent clinical trial data suggest that apathy symptoms may improve following treatment with agents such as methylphenidate-which may have an important role alongside emerging non-pharmacological treatment strategies. Here, we review the diagnostic criteria, rating scales, prevalence, and risk factors for apathy in AD. The underlying neurobiology, neuropsychology and associated neuroimaging findings are reviewed in detail. Finally, we discuss current treatment approaches and strategies aimed at targeting apathy syndrome in AD, highlighting areas for future research and clinical trials in patient cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Dolphin
- Tallaght Institute of Memory and Cognition, Tallaght University Hospital, D24NR0A Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, D08W9RT Dublin, Ireland
| | - Adam H Dyer
- Tallaght Institute of Memory and Cognition, Tallaght University Hospital, D24NR0A Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, D08W9RT Dublin, Ireland
| | - Cathy McHale
- Tallaght Institute of Memory and Cognition, Tallaght University Hospital, D24NR0A Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sean O'Dowd
- Tallaght Institute of Memory and Cognition, Tallaght University Hospital, D24NR0A Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Neurology, Tallaght University Hospital, D24NR0A Dublin, Ireland
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity College Dublin, D02R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sean P Kennelly
- Tallaght Institute of Memory and Cognition, Tallaght University Hospital, D24NR0A Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, D08W9RT Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, D08W9RT Dublin, Ireland
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Theleritis C, Siarkos K, Politis A, Smyrnis N, Papageorgiou C, Politis AM. A Systematic Review of Pharmacological Interventions for Apathy in Aging Neurocognitive Disorders. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1061. [PMID: 37508993 PMCID: PMC10377475 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13071061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Apathy, a frequent neuropsychiatric symptom in aging neurocognitive disorders, has been associated with cognitive decline and functional disability. Therefore, timely provision of pharmacological interventions for apathy is greatly needed. DESIGN A systematical literature review of existing studies was conducted up to 30 May 2023 in several databases (PubMed, PsychInfo, Cochrane, Google Scholar, etc.) that included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses assessing pharmacological treatments for apathy in aging neurocognitive disorders. The quality of the studies was appraised. RESULTS In patients with Alzheimer's Disease (AD), donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine, methylphenidate, and gingko biloba were proven efficacious for apathy, while rivastigmine, cognitive enhancer IRL752 and piribedil were found to be beneficial in patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD) and agomelatine in patients with Frontotemporal Dementia (FD). The extensive proportion of RCTs in which apathy was used as a secondary outcome measure, along with the considerable methodological heterogeneity, did not allow the evaluation of group effects. CONCLUSIONS Pharmacological interventions for apathy in aging neurocognitive disorders are complex and under-investigated. The continuation of systematic research efforts and the provision of individualized treatment for patients suffering from these disorders is vital.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Theleritis
- First Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Eginition Hospital, 74 Vas. Sofias Ave., 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Kostas Siarkos
- First Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Eginition Hospital, 74 Vas. Sofias Ave., 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Anastasios Politis
- Second Department of Neurosurgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, 1 Rimini Str., 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Smyrnis
- Second Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, 1 Rimini Str., 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Charalabos Papageorgiou
- First Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Eginition Hospital, 74 Vas. Sofias Ave., 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Antonios M Politis
- First Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Eginition Hospital, 74 Vas. Sofias Ave., 11528 Athens, Greece
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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Strijkert F, Huitema RB, van Munster BC, Spikman JM. Impaired Emotion Recognition: A Potential Marker for Social Behavioral Problems in Patients With Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Alzheimer Disease? Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2023; 37:189-194. [PMID: 37561955 PMCID: PMC10443627 DOI: 10.1097/wad.0000000000000567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Emotion recognition, an important aspect of social cognition, can be impaired already in early Alzheimer disease dementia and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and may underly social behavioral changes, which can increase caregiver burden. However, social behavior is difficult to assess in outpatient settings. We evaluated whether impaired emotion recognition is related to proxy-rated social behavioral problems and thus can serve as a marker of these changes. PATIENTS AND METHOD Emotion recognition was assessed with Ekman 60 Faces Test (EFT-total, 6 separate emotions) in patients (n = 31 AD; n = 37 aMCI) and healthy controls (n = 60 HCs). Social behavioral problems were rated by proxies with the neuropsychiatric inventory (agitation, apathy, irritability, disinhibition, and a sum score). It tested whether EFT scores differed between patients with and without behavioral problems. RESULTS AD had worse EFT-total ( P <0.001), disgust ( P = 0.02), and fear ( P = 0.001) than HC, but not than aMCI, who did not differ from HC. AD displayed more disinhibition ( P < 0.05). EFT and neuropsychiatric inventory sum scores were not significantly correlated. Patients with apathy had lower EFT-total ( P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Measuring emotion recognition adds value: it is impaired in early neurodegeneration and associated with apathy but not necessarily related to overall changes in social behavior in this population.
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Babicz MA, Matchanova A, Woods SP. Apathy Among Persons Living With HIV Is Associated With Lower Self-efficacy for Health Care Provider Interactions. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care 2023; 34:389-397. [PMID: 37141172 DOI: 10.1097/jnc.0000000000000413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Apathy is common in persons with HIV (PWH) and has been associated with a variety of health outcomes. We examined the association between apathy and self-efficacy for health care provider interactions in 142 PWH. A composite score comprised of the apathy subscale of the Frontal Systems Behavioral Scale and the vigor-activation scale of the Profile of Mood States was used to measure apathy. Self-efficacy for health care provider interactions was measured using the Beliefs Related to Medication Adherence - Dealing with Health Professional subscale. Higher levels of apathy were associated with lower self-efficacy for health care provider interactions at a medium effect size, independent of mood disorders, health literacy, and neurocognition. Findings suggest that apathy plays a unique role in self-efficacy for health care provider interactions and support the importance of assessment and management of apathy to maximize health outcomes among PWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A Babicz
- Michelle A. Babicz, PhD, is a Neuropsychology Resident, Mental Health and Behavioral Services, James A. Haley Veteran's Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA, and is a formerly Graduate Student, Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA. Anastasia Matchanova, MA, is a Graduate Student, Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA. Steven Paul Woods, PsyD, is a Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
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Yan H, Wu H, Cai Z, Du S, Li L, Xu B, Chang C, Wang N. The neural correlates of apathy in the context of aging and brain disorders: a meta-analysis of neuroimaging studies. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1181558. [PMID: 37396666 PMCID: PMC10311641 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1181558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Apathy is a prevalent mood disturbance that occurs in a wide range of populations, including those with normal cognitive aging, mental disorders, neurodegenerative disorders and traumatic brain injuries. Recently, neuroimaging technologies have been employed to elucidate the neural substrates underlying brain disorders accompanying apathy. However, the consistent neural correlates of apathy across normal aging and brain disorders are still unclear. Methods This paper first provides a brief review of the neural mechanism of apathy in healthy elderly individuals, those with mental disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, and traumatic brain injuries. Further, following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the structural and functional neuroimaging meta-analysis using activation likelihood estimation method is performed on the apathy group with brain disorders and the healthy elderly, aiming at exploring the neural correlates of apathy. Results The structural neuroimaging meta-analysis showed that gray matter atrophy is associated with apathy in the bilateral precentral gyrus (BA 13/6), bilateral insula (BA 47), bilateral medial frontal gyrus (BA 11), bilateral inferior frontal gyrus, left caudate (putamen) and right anterior cingulate, while the functional neuroimaging meta-analysis suggested that the functional connectivity in putamen and lateral globus pallidus is correlated with apathy. Discussion Through the neuroimaging meta-analysis, this study has identified the potential neural locations of apathy in terms of brain structure and function, which may offer valuable pathophysiological insights for developing more effective therapeutic interventions for affected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjie Yan
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Huijun Wu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zenglin Cai
- Department of Neurology, Suzhou Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Suzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, Gusu School, Suzhou Science and Technology Town Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Shouyun Du
- Department of Neurology, Guanyun People’s Hospital, Guanyun, China
| | - Lejun Li
- Department of Neurology, Suzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Suzhou, China
| | - Bingchao Xu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Chunqi Chang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Pengcheng Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | - Nizhuan Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
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Béreau M, Van Waes V, Servant M, Magnin E, Tatu L, Anheim M. Apathy in Parkinson's Disease: Clinical Patterns and Neurobiological Basis. Cells 2023; 12:1599. [PMID: 37371068 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Apathy is commonly defined as a loss of motivation leading to a reduction in goal-directed behaviors. This multidimensional syndrome, which includes cognitive, emotional and behavioral components, is one of the most prevalent neuropsychiatric features of Parkinson's disease (PD). It has been established that the prevalence of apathy increases as PD progresses. However, the pathophysiology and anatomic substrate of this syndrome remain unclear. Apathy seems to be underpinned by impaired anatomical structures that link the prefrontal cortex with the limbic system. It can be encountered in the prodromal stage of the disease and in fluctuating PD patients receiving bilateral chronic subthalamic nucleus stimulation. In these stages, apathy may be considered as a disorder of motivation that embodies amotivational behavioral syndrome, is underpinned by combined dopaminergic and serotonergic denervation and is dopa-responsive. In contrast, in advanced PD patients, apathy may be considered as cognitive apathy that announces cognitive decline and PD dementia, is underpinned by diffuse neurotransmitter system dysfunction and Lewy pathology spreading and is no longer dopa-responsive. In this review, we discuss the clinical patterns of apathy and their treatment, the neurobiological basis of apathy, the potential role of the anatomical structures involved and the pathways in motivational and cognitive apathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthieu Béreau
- Département de Neurologie, CHU de Besançon, 25000 Besançon, France
- Université de Franche-Comté, LINC Laboratoire de Recherches Intégratives en Neurosciences et Psychologie Cognitive, 25000 Besançon, France
| | - Vincent Van Waes
- Université de Franche-Comté, LINC Laboratoire de Recherches Intégratives en Neurosciences et Psychologie Cognitive, 25000 Besançon, France
| | - Mathieu Servant
- Université de Franche-Comté, LINC Laboratoire de Recherches Intégratives en Neurosciences et Psychologie Cognitive, 25000 Besançon, France
| | - Eloi Magnin
- Département de Neurologie, CHU de Besançon, 25000 Besançon, France
- Université de Franche-Comté, LINC Laboratoire de Recherches Intégratives en Neurosciences et Psychologie Cognitive, 25000 Besançon, France
| | - Laurent Tatu
- Département de Neurologie, CHU de Besançon, 25000 Besançon, France
- Université de Franche-Comté, LINC Laboratoire de Recherches Intégratives en Neurosciences et Psychologie Cognitive, 25000 Besançon, France
- Laboratoire d'Anatomie, Université de Franche-Comté, 25000 Besançon, France
| | - Mathieu Anheim
- Département de Neurologie, CHU de Strasbourg, 67200 Strasbourg, France
- Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Institut de génétique Et de Biologie Moléculaire Et Cellulaire (IGBMC), INSERM-U964, CNRS-UMR7104, Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
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Calamia M, Markon K, Tranel D. The structure of apathy symptoms. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2023; 45:377-388. [PMID: 37572079 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2023.2245605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Apathy is common in many neurological, psychiatric, and medical disorders and is related to a number of important clinical outcomes. Nonetheless, research on apathy is hindered by different ways of defining and measuring it, which has led to heterogeneity in research findings. METHOD The current study aimed to investigate the factor structure of apathy symptoms using a novel item pool. We examined whether the use of this item pool has incremental validity above and beyond a widely used measure in predicting cognition and everyday functioning. Participants included 249 informants who reported on an individual with (n = 210) or without (n = 39) a neurological or psychiatric condition. RESULTS Results showed the best fitting model of apathy symptoms was a bifactor model with apathy as a general dimension and three specific symptom factors including reduced interest and initiative, reduced emotional and verbal expression, and reduced social engagement. Incremental validity in predicting cognition was demonstrated for this more robust assessment of apathy symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Results are most aligned with one set of proposed diagnostic criteria for apathy which differs from other criteria in that it does not distinguish between cognitive and behavioral symptoms and includes a separate social dimension. Future research could aim to replicate this model in additional clinical samples and explore the incremental validity of the newly developed Apathy Symptom Inventory (ASI) in comparison to other recently developed measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Calamia
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Kristian Markon
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Daniel Tranel
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
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Simona K, Veronika M, Zahinoor I, Martin V. Neuropsychiatric symptoms in spinocerebellar ataxias and Friedreich ataxia. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 150:105205. [PMID: 37137435 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Apart from its role in motor coordination, the importance of the cerebellum in cognitive and affective processes has been recognized in the past few decades. Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA) and Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) are rare neurodegenerative diseases of the cerebellum presenting mainly with a progressive loss of gait and limb coordination, dysarthria, and other motor disturbances, but also a range of cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms. This narrative review summarizes the current knowledge on neuropsychiatric impairment in SCA and FRDA. We discuss the prevalence, clinical features and treatment approaches in the most commonly reported domains of depression, anxiety, apathy, agitation and impulse dyscontrol, and psychosis. Since these symptoms have a considerable impact on patients' quality of life, we argue that further research is mandated to improve the detection and treatment options of neuropsychiatric co-morbidities in ataxia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karamazovova Simona
- Center of Hereditary Ataxias, Department of Neurology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Matuskova Veronika
- Center of Hereditary Ataxias, Department of Neurology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Ismail Zahinoor
- Departments of Psychiatry, Clinical Neurosciences, and Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine; Hotchkiss Brain Institute and O'Brien Institute of Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Vyhnalek Martin
- Center of Hereditary Ataxias, Department of Neurology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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Fang Y, Chen L, Zhang Y, Yuan W, Han B. Association between apathy in patients with maintenance dialysis and hospitalization or mortality: a prospective cohort study. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1007977. [PMID: 37265555 PMCID: PMC10231221 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1007977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Patients receiving maintenance dialysis experience increased rates of hospitalization and mortality. Apathy is associated with reduced quality of life and increased hospitalization, institutionalization, and death. Whether apathy contributes to poor outcomes in population undergoing maintenance dialysis remain unknown. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study of maintenance dialysis population who were consecutively recruited at the Dialysis Center of Shanghai General Hospital between July 2017 and August 2018 and were followed up for 3 year. Apathy status was measured by the Apathy Evaluation Scale. The study outcomes were the occurrence of death and first hospitalization. Results A total of 647 participants included in this study, 274 (42.3%) had a current apathy and 373 (57.7%) were not. During the follow-up period, 394 (60.9%) were hospitalized, and 169 (26.1%) died. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the risks of hospitalization and mortality were significantly higher in individuals with apathy than in those without apathy (both p < 0.001). Apathy at baseline was associated with hospitalization and death both in univariate analysis and in all multivariable models (all p < 0.001). Conclusion Apathy was highly prevalent and independently correlated with an increased risk of poor outcomes in patients with maintenance dialysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Fang
- Department of Psychiatry, Huzhou Third People’s Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yueyue Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Weijie Yuan
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Han
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Mehak SF, Shivakumar AB, Saraf V, Johansson M, Gangadharan G. Apathy in Alzheimer's disease: A neurocircuitry based perspective. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 87:101891. [PMID: 36871779 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
In addition to memory deficits and other cognitive disturbances, patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) experience neuropsychiatric symptoms, notably apathy, which is a state of impaired motivation observed by deficits in goal directed behavior. Apathy is a multifaceted neuropsychiatric condition and appears to be a prognostic indicator, correlating with the progression of AD. Strikingly, recent studies point out that the neurodegenerative pathology of AD may drive apathy independent of cognitive decline. These studies also highlight that neuropsychiatric symptoms, in particular apathy, might manifest early in AD. Here, we review the current understanding of the neurobiological underpinnings of apathy as a neuropsychiatric symptom of AD. Specifically, we highlight the neural circuits and brain regions recognized to be correlated with the apathetic symptomatology. We also discuss the current evidence that supports the notion that apathy and cognitive deficits may develop as independent but concurrent phenomena driven by AD pathology, suggesting its efficacy as an additional outcome measure in Alzheimer's disease clinical trials. The current and prospective therapeutic interventions for apathy in AD from a neurocircuitry based perspective are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonam Fathima Mehak
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India.
| | - Apoorva Bettagere Shivakumar
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India.
| | - Vikyath Saraf
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India.
| | - Maurits Johansson
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, SUS, Sweden; Division of Clinical Sciences, Helsingborg, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Sweden; Department of Psychiatry, Helsingborg Hospital, Sweden.
| | - Gireesh Gangadharan
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India.
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Hu S, Patten S, Charlton A, Fischer K, Fick G, Smith EE, Ismail Z. Validating the Mild Behavioral Impairment Checklist in a Cognitive Clinic: Comparisons With the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 2023; 36:107-120. [PMID: 35430902 PMCID: PMC9941652 DOI: 10.1177/08919887221093353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the utility of the Mild Behavioral Impairment-Checklist (MBI-C) and Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q) to capture NPS in subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. METHODS In this cross-sectional memory clinic study, linear regression models compared MBI-C (n = 474) and NPI-Q (n = 1040) scores in relation to Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score. RESULTS MBI prevalence was 37% in subjective cognitive decline, 54% in mild cognitive impairment, and 62% in dementia. Worse diagnostic status was associated with higher MBI-C and NPI-Q score (P < .001), lower MoCA (P < .001), and greater age (P < .001). Higher MBI-C (β -.09; 95% CI -.13, -.05) and NPI-Q (β -.17; 95% CI -.23, -.10) scores were associated with lower MoCA scores, with psychosis most strongly associated (β -1.11; 95% CI -1.56, -.65 vs β -1.14; 95% CI -1.55, -.73). CONCLUSIONS The MBI-C captures global and domain-specific NPS across cognitive stages. Both the MBI-C and NPI-Q have utility in characterizing NPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Hu
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Scott Patten
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- O’Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Anna Charlton
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Karyn Fischer
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Gordon Fick
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- O’Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Eric E. Smith
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Zahinoor Ismail
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- O’Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Zahinoor Ismail, MD, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, TRW Building 1st Floor Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada.
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Burgon C, Goldberg S, van der Wardt V, Harwood RH. Experiences and understanding of apathy in people with neurocognitive disorders and their carers: a qualitative interview study. Age Ageing 2023; 52:7078335. [PMID: 36934338 PMCID: PMC10024892 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afad031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 03/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND apathy, defined as reduced goal-directed activity, interests and emotion, is highly prevalent in neurocognitive disorders (NCDs). Apathy has important consequences for the individuals who experience it and their carers, yet the lived experiences of apathy in this population are not well understood. OBJECTIVE to explore how people with NCDs and their carers understand and experience apathy. METHOD in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted in participants' homes. Sixteen people with NCDs (dementia or mild cognitive impairment) and 14 carers, living in four geographical areas of England, took part. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS four themes were generated: 'Apathy is Poorly Understood'; 'Too much trouble: Mediating Effort and Outcome'; 'Preserving Identity in the Face of Loss of Capability and Autonomy' and 'Opportunity and Exclusion'. CONCLUSION apathy is experienced as an understandable response to the everyday struggle people with NCDs face to preserve identity in the face of threats to capability and autonomy and is exacerbated by the lack of support and opportunities. Social and environmental modifications may help reduce apathy. In line with previous qualitative research, this challenges the dominant view of apathy as a neuropsychiatric symptom that excludes the social-environmental context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Burgon
- Address correspondence to: Clare Burgon, NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (Hearing), Hearing Sciences, Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Ropewalk House, 113 The Ropewalk, Nottingham NG1 5DU, UK.
| | - Sarah Goldberg
- School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Veronika van der Wardt
- Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Rowan H Harwood
- School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
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40
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Distinct Neuropsychological Correlates of Apathy Sub-Domains in Multiple Sclerosis. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13030385. [PMID: 36979195 PMCID: PMC10046638 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13030385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Apathy is relatively frequent and significantly associated with clinical and cognitive outcomes in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), even if previous research has produced mixed results. This varied picture could be due to most studies treating apathy as a unitary construct, despite the evidence showing that apathy is a multifaceted syndrome including three different sub-domains (i.e., cognitive, affective, and behavioral). This study aims to investigate the neuropsychological correlates of apathy fractionated into its three sub-domains in participants with MS. Methods: Eighty-five participants with MS underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. The severity of apathy symptoms was assessed by the self-report version of the Apathy Evaluation Scale. Results: Correlational analysis showed that cognitive apathy sub-domain scores had a high correlation with the performances obtained at cognitive tests tapping into inhibitory control (i.e., IML and Strop test-interference task), whereas the affective apathy sub-domain scores had a high correlation with the performances obtained at cognitive test tapping into the use of executive functions in visuospatial abilities (i.e., Clock Drawing Test). Moreover, linear regression analysis results showed that the cognitive apathy sub-domain scores predicted executive functioning domain scores and that the cognitive and affective apathy sub-domains scores predicted visuospatial abilities domain scores. Conclusion: These results confirm that apathy is a multidimensional concept with important neuropsychological correlates, visible only when it is fractionated into its sub-domains.
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Le Bouc R, Borderies N, Carle G, Robriquet C, Vinckier F, Daunizeau J, Azuar C, Levy R, Pessiglione M. Effort avoidance as a core mechanism of apathy in frontotemporal dementia. Brain 2023; 146:712-726. [PMID: 36401873 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Apathy is a core symptom in patients with behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). It is defined by the observable reduction in goal-directed behaviour, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. According to decision theory, engagement in goal-directed behaviour depends on a cost-benefit optimization trading off the estimated effort (related to the behaviour) against the expected reward (related to the goal). In this framework, apathy would thus result from either a decreased appetence for reward, or from an increased aversion to effort. Here, we phenotyped the motivational state of 21 patients with bvFTD and 40 matched healthy controls using computational analyses of behavioural responses in a comprehensive series of behavioural tasks, involving both expression of preference (comparing reward value and effort cost) and optimization of performance (adjusting effort production to the reward at stake). The primary finding was an elevated aversion to effort, consistent across preference and performance tasks in patients with bvFTD compared to controls. Within the bvFTD group, effort avoidance was correlated to cortical atrophy in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and to apathy score measured on a clinical scale. Thus, our results highlight elevated effort aversion (not reduced reward appetence) as a core dysfunction that might generate apathy in patients with bvFTD. More broadly, they provide novel behavioural tests and computational tools to identify the dysfunctional mechanisms producing motivation deficits in patients with brain damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphaël Le Bouc
- Motivation, Brain and Behavior Laboratory (MBB), Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Sorbonne University, INSERM UMRS 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, F-75013 Paris, France.,Department of Neurology, Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne University, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), F75013 Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Borderies
- Motivation, Brain and Behavior Laboratory (MBB), Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Sorbonne University, INSERM UMRS 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Guilhem Carle
- Department of Neurology, Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne University, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), F75013 Paris, France.,FrontLab, Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Sorbonne University, INSERM UMRS 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Chloé Robriquet
- Motivation, Brain and Behavior Laboratory (MBB), Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Sorbonne University, INSERM UMRS 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Fabien Vinckier
- Motivation, Brain and Behavior Laboratory (MBB), Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Sorbonne University, INSERM UMRS 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, F-75013 Paris, France.,Department of Psychiatry, Service Hospitalo-Universitaire, GHU Paris Psychiatrie and Neurosciences, University of Paris, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Jean Daunizeau
- Motivation, Brain and Behavior Laboratory (MBB), Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Sorbonne University, INSERM UMRS 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Carole Azuar
- Department of Neurology, Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne University, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), F75013 Paris, France.,FrontLab, Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Sorbonne University, INSERM UMRS 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Richard Levy
- Department of Neurology, Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne University, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), F75013 Paris, France.,FrontLab, Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Sorbonne University, INSERM UMRS 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Mathias Pessiglione
- Motivation, Brain and Behavior Laboratory (MBB), Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Sorbonne University, INSERM UMRS 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, F-75013 Paris, France
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Lanctôt KL, Ismail Z, Bawa KK, Cummings JL, Husain M, Mortby ME, Robert P. Distinguishing apathy from depression: A review differentiating the behavioral, neuroanatomic, and treatment-related aspects of apathy from depression in neurocognitive disorders. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2023; 38:e5882. [PMID: 36739588 PMCID: PMC10107127 DOI: 10.1002/gps.5882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This narrative review describes the clinical features of apathy and depression in individuals with neurocognitive disorders (NCDs), with the goal of differentiating the two syndromes on the basis of clinical presentation, diagnostic criteria, neuropathological features, and contrasting responses to treatments. METHODS Literature was identified using PubMed, with search terms to capture medical conditions of interest; additional references were also included based on our collective experience and knowledge of the literature. RESULTS Evidence from current literature supports the distinction between the two disorders; apathy and depression occur with varying prevalence in individuals with NCDs, pose different risks of progression to dementia, and have distinct, if overlapping, neurobiological underpinnings. Although apathy is a distinct neuropsychiatric syndrome, distinguishing apathy from depression can be challenging, as both conditions may occur concurrently and share several overlapping features. Apathy is associated with unfavorable outcomes, especially those with neurodegenerative etiologies (e.g., Alzheimer's disease) and is associated with an increased burden for both patients and caregivers. Diagnosing apathy is important not only to serve as the basis for appropriate treatment, but also for the development of novel targeted interventions for this condition. Although there are currently no approved pharmacologic treatments for apathy, the research described in this review supports apathy as a distinct neuropsychiatric condition that warrants specific treatments aimed at alleviating patient disability. CONCLUSIONS Despite differences between these disorders, both apathy and depression pose significant challenges to patients, their families, and caregivers; better diagnostics are needed to develop more tailored treatment and support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista L. Lanctôt
- Departments of Psychiatry and of Pharmacology and ToxicologyUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
- Neuropsychopharmacology Research GroupHurvitz Brain Sciences ProgramSunnybrook Research InstituteTorontoOntarioCanada
- Bernick Chair in Geriatric PsychopharmacologySunnybrook Health Sciences CentreUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Zahinoor Ismail
- Departments of Psychiatry, Clinical Neurosciences, and Community Health SciencesHotchkiss Brain InstituteO'Brien Institute of Public HealthUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada
| | - Kritleen K. Bawa
- Departments of Psychiatry and of Pharmacology and ToxicologyUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
- Neuropsychopharmacology Research GroupHurvitz Brain Sciences ProgramSunnybrook Research InstituteTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Jeffrey L. Cummings
- Department of Brain HealthChambers‐Grundy Center for Transformative NeuroscienceSchool of Integrated Health SciencesUniversity of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV)Las VegasNevadaUSA
| | - Masud Husain
- Nuffield Department of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
- Department of Experimental PsychologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Moyra E. Mortby
- School of PsychologyUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Neuroscience Research AustraliaSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Philippe Robert
- Cognition Behaviour Technology LabUniversity Côte d'Azur (UCA)NiceFrance
- Centre MémoireLe Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de NiceNiceFrance
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Lista S, Vergallo A, Teipel SJ, Lemercier P, Giorgi FS, Gabelle A, Garaci F, Mercuri NB, Babiloni C, Gaire BP, Koronyo Y, Koronyo-Hamaoui M, Hampel H, Nisticò R. Determinants of approved acetylcholinesterase inhibitor response outcomes in Alzheimer's disease: relevance for precision medicine in neurodegenerative diseases. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 84:101819. [PMID: 36526257 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (ChEI) are the global standard of care for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and show significant positive effects in neurodegenerative diseases with cognitive and behavioral symptoms. Although experimental and large-scale clinical evidence indicates the potential long-term efficacy of ChEI, primary outcomes are generally heterogeneous across outpatient clinics and regional healthcare systems. Sub-optimal dosing or slow tapering, heterogeneous guidelines about the timing for therapy initiation (prodromal versus dementia stages), healthcare providers' ambivalence to treatment, lack of disease awareness, delayed medical consultation, prescription of ChEI in non-AD cognitive disorders, contribute to the negative outcomes. We present an evidence-based overview of determinants, spanning genetic, molecular, and large-scale networks, involved in the response to ChEI in patients with AD and other neurodegenerative diseases. A comprehensive understanding of cerebral and retinal cholinergic system dysfunctions along with ChEI response predictors in AD is crucial since disease-modifying therapies will frequently be prescribed in combination with ChEI. Therapeutic algorithms tailored to genetic, biological, clinical (endo)phenotypes, and disease stages will help leverage inter-drug synergy and attain optimal combined response outcomes, in line with the precision medicine model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Lista
- Memory Resources and Research Center (CMRR), Neurology Department, Gui de Chauliac University Hospital, Montpellier, France; School of Pharmacy, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
| | - Andrea Vergallo
- Sorbonne University, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), AP-HP, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Stefan J Teipel
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Rostock/Greifswald, Rostock, Germany; Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Pablo Lemercier
- Sorbonne University, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), AP-HP, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Filippo Sean Giorgi
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Audrey Gabelle
- Memory Resources and Research Center (CMRR), Neurology Department, Gui de Chauliac University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Francesco Garaci
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy; Casa di Cura "San Raffaele Cassino", Cassino, Italy
| | - Nicola B Mercuri
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy; IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Babiloni
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; Hospital San Raffaele Cassino, Cassino, Italy
| | - Bhakta Prasad Gaire
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yosef Koronyo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Applied Cell Biology and Physiology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Harald Hampel
- Sorbonne University, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), AP-HP, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Robert Nisticò
- School of Pharmacy, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy; Laboratory of Pharmacology of Synaptic Plasticity, EBRI Rita Levi-Montalcini Foundation, Rome, Italy.
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Saari TT. Empirical and Authoritative Classification of Neuropsychiatric Syndromes in Neurocognitive Disorders. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 2023; 35:39-47. [PMID: 35872615 DOI: 10.1176/appi.neuropsych.21100249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric symptoms of neurocognitive disorders have been classified into higher-order constructs, often called neuropsychiatric syndromes. As with the general psychopathology literature, these classifications have been achieved through two approaches: empirical and authoritative. The authoritative approach relies on expert panels that condense the available evidence into operational criteria, whereas the empirical approach uses statistical methods to discover symptom patterns and possible hierarchies formed by them. In this article, the author reviews the strengths and weaknesses of both approaches using general psychopathology literature as a reference point. The authoritative approach, influenced by the DSM, has led to several sets of criteria, which could aid clinical trials, diagnostics, and communication. However, unknown reliability and the complex relationships between empirical evidence and published criteria may limit the utility of current criteria. The empirical approach has been used to explore syndrome structures on the basis of rating scales for neuropsychiatric symptoms. The structures suggested in these studies have not been replicated easily and have been limited by either small sample sizes, restricted breadth of neuropsychiatric assessment, or both. Suggestions for further development of both approaches are offered. First, neuropsychiatric symptoms and syndromes need to be studied with measures of broad scope and in large samples. These requirements are prerequisites not only for eliciting highly informative empirical classifications but also for understanding these symptoms at a more nuanced level. Second, both approaches could benefit from more transparency. Finally, the reliability of the available authoritative criteria should be examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toni Tapani Saari
- Department of Neurology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, and NeuroCenter, Neurology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
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45
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Manera V, Fabre R, Daumas L, Zeghari R, Derreumaux A, Payne M, Lemaire J, Sacco G, Gros A, Robert P. Cutoff scores for the "Interest game", an application for the assessment of diminished interest in neurocognitive disorders. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1126479. [PMID: 37020737 PMCID: PMC10067876 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1126479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Diminished interest is a core feature of apathy that shows high prevalence in people with Mild and Major Neurocognitive disorders (NCD). In the clinical setting, apathy is mainly assessed using clinical scales and questionnaires, but new technologies are starting to be employed to complement classical instruments. Here, we explored the performance of the "Interest game," a ludic application that assesses personal interests, in discriminating between persons with and without diminished interest based on the Apathy Diagnostic Criteria. Two hundred and twenty-seven elderly participants (56 healthy controls, 118 persons with mild-NCD, and 53 with major-NCD) completed the Interest game and were assessed by clinicians concerning the presence and the severity of apathy. Results showed that the application scores varied with the presence of apathy, the type of disorder, and the education level. Cutoff scores calculated for persons with Mild-NCD resulted in a sensitivity of 0.68 and a specificity of 0.65 for the main score index, suggesting the interest of employing this application in the clinical setting to complement the classical assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Manera
- Université Côte d’Azur, CobTeK, Nice, France
- Association Innovation Alzheimer, Nice, France
- Université Côte d’Azur, Department of Speech Therapy (Departement d’Orthophonie, DON), Nice, France
- *Correspondence: Valeria Manera,
| | - Roxane Fabre
- Université Côte d’Azur, CobTeK, Nice, France
- Université Cote d’Azur, Nice University Hospital (CHU), Public Health Department, Nice, France
| | - Lyne Daumas
- Université Côte d’Azur, CobTeK, Nice, France
- Université Côte d’Azur, LAMHESS, Nice, France
| | - Radia Zeghari
- Université Côte d’Azur, CobTeK, Nice, France
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire-Lenval, Service Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l’Enfant et de l’Adolescent, Hôpitaux Pédiatriques de Nice, Nice, France
| | - Alexandre Derreumaux
- Université Côte d’Azur, CobTeK, Nice, France
- Association Innovation Alzheimer, Nice, France
- Université Côte d’Azur, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Clinique Gériatrique de Soins Ambulatoires, Centre Mémoire de Ressources et de Recherche, Nice, France
| | - Magali Payne
- Université Côte d’Azur, CobTeK, Nice, France
- Association Innovation Alzheimer, Nice, France
- Université Côte d’Azur, Department of Speech Therapy (Departement d’Orthophonie, DON), Nice, France
| | - Justine Lemaire
- Université Côte d’Azur, CobTeK, Nice, France
- Université Côte d’Azur, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Clinique Gériatrique de Soins Ambulatoires, Centre Mémoire de Ressources et de Recherche, Nice, France
| | - Guillaume Sacco
- Université Côte d’Azur, CobTeK, Nice, France
- Association Innovation Alzheimer, Nice, France
- Université Côte d’Azur, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Clinique Gériatrique de Soins Ambulatoires, Centre Mémoire de Ressources et de Recherche, Nice, France
| | - Auriane Gros
- Université Côte d’Azur, CobTeK, Nice, France
- Association Innovation Alzheimer, Nice, France
- Université Côte d’Azur, Department of Speech Therapy (Departement d’Orthophonie, DON), Nice, France
- Université Côte d’Azur, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Clinique Gériatrique de Soins Ambulatoires, Centre Mémoire de Ressources et de Recherche, Nice, France
| | - Philippe Robert
- Université Côte d’Azur, CobTeK, Nice, France
- Association Innovation Alzheimer, Nice, France
- Université Côte d’Azur, Department of Speech Therapy (Departement d’Orthophonie, DON), Nice, France
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46
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Vasconcelos Da Silva M, Melendez‐Torres GJ, Ismail Z, Testad I, Ballard C, Creese B. A data-driven examination of apathy and depressive symptoms in dementia with independent replication. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 15:e12398. [PMID: 36777092 PMCID: PMC9899765 DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Apathy is one of the most common neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Research that helps define the apathy phenotype is urgently needed, particularly for clinical and biomarker studies. We used latent class analysis (LCA) with two independent cohorts to understand how apathy and depression symptoms co-occur statistically. We further explored the relationship between latent class membership, demographics, and the presence of other NPS. The LCA identified a four-class solution (no symptoms, apathy, depression, and combined apathy/depression), reproducible over both cohorts, providing robust support for an apathy syndrome distinct from depression and confirming that an apathy/depression syndrome exists, supported by the model fit test with the four-class solution scores evidencing better fitting (Bayesian information criterion adjusted and entropy R 2). Using a data-driven method, we show distinct and statistically meaningful co-occurrence of apathy and depressive symptoms. There was evidence that these classes have different clinical associations, which may help inform diagnostic categories for research studies and clinical practice. Highlights We found four classes: no symptoms, apathy, depression and apathy/depression.Apathy conferred a higher probability for agitation.Apathy diagnostic criteria should include accompanying neuropsychiatric symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Vasconcelos Da Silva
- Medical SchoolFaculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
- Department of Old Age PsychiatryInstitute of PsychiatryPsychology and NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | | | - Zahinoor Ismail
- Medical SchoolFaculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
- Department of PsychiatryHotchkiss Brain Institute & O'Brien Institute for Public HealthUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada
| | - Ingelin Testad
- Department of Old Age PsychiatryInstitute of PsychiatryPsychology and NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Clive Ballard
- Medical SchoolFaculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
| | - Byron Creese
- Medical SchoolFaculty of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
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47
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Kutlubaev MA, Akhmetova AI, Ozerova AI. [Emotional disorders after stroke]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2023; 123:30-35. [PMID: 38148695 DOI: 10.17116/jnevro202312312230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Emotional disorders are common among patients after stroke. They include anger, fear, emotional expression control (uncontrollable crying, laughing), emotional indifference (apathy), disorders of emotion recognition and emotional empathy. They might develop independently or as a presentation of depression, anxiety, catastrophic reaction, posttraumatic stress disorder etc. Treatment of post-stroke emotional disorders include pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - A I Ozerova
- Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Russia
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48
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Steffens DC, Fahed M, Manning KJ, Wang L. The neurobiology of apathy in depression and neurocognitive impairment in older adults: a review of epidemiological, clinical, neuropsychological and biological research. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:525. [PMID: 36572691 PMCID: PMC9792580 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02292-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Apathy is a common condition that involves diminished initiative, diminished interest and diminished emotional expression or responsiveness. It is highly prevalent in the context of a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders and is related to poor health outcomes. Presence of apathy is associated with cognitive and functional decline in dementia. Despite its negative impact on health, there is no definitive treatment for apathy, a clinical reality that may be due in part to lack of knowledge about assessment, neuropsychological features and neurobiological underpinnings. Here, we review and synthesize evidence from clinical, epidemiological, neuropsychological, peripheral biomarker and neuroimaging research. Apathy is a common feature of depression and cognitive disorders and is associated with impairment in executive function. Neuropsychological and neuroimaging studies point to dysfunction of brain circuitry involving the prefrontal cortex, especially the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex circuit, the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex circuit, and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex circuit. However, inconsistent findings, particularly in neuroimaging may be due to heterogeneity of apathy symptoms (with a need to better elucidate subtypes), neuropsychiatric comorbidities, the severity of cognitive impairment and other factors. These factors need to be accounted for in future studies so that biomarker research can make progress. On the whole, the literature on apathy has identified likely neurocognitive, peripheral biomarker and neuroimaging targets for understanding apathy, but also points to the need to address methodological issues that will better inform future studies. In turn, as we learn more about the underpinning of apathy and its subtypes, subsequent research can focus on new neurally based interventions that will strengthen the clinical management of apathy in the context of its comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Steffens
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA.
| | - Mario Fahed
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Kevin J Manning
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Lihong Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
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49
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Vellone D, Ghahremani M, Goodarzi Z, Forkert ND, Smith EE, Ismail Z. Apathy and APOE in mild behavioral impairment, and risk for incident dementia. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (NEW YORK, N. Y.) 2022; 8:e12370. [PMID: 36544988 PMCID: PMC9763783 DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Mild behavioral impairment (MBI) is a high-risk state for incident dementia and comprises five core domains including affective dysregulation, impulse dyscontrol, social inappropriateness, psychotic symptoms, and apathy. Apathy is among the most common neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in dementia but can also develop in persons with normal cognition (NC) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The later-life emergence and persistence of apathy as part of the MBI syndrome may be a driving factor for dementia risk. Therefore, we investigated MBI-apathy-associated progression to dementia, and effect modification by sex, race, cognitive diagnosis, and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype. Methods Dementia-free National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center participants were stratified by persistent apathy status, based on Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI)-Questionnaire scores at two consecutive visits. Hazard ratios (HRs) for incident dementia for MBI-apathy and NPI-apathy relative to no NPS, and MBI-apathy relative to no apathy, were determined using Cox proportional hazards regressions, adjusted for baseline age, sex, years of education, race, cognitive diagnosis, and APOE genotype. Interactions with relevant model covariates were explored. Results Of the 3932 participants (3247 with NC), 354 had MBI-apathy. Of all analytic groups, MBI-apathy had the greatest dementia incidence (HR = 2.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.15-3.36, P < 0.001). Interaction effects were observed between cognitive diagnosis and APOE genotype with the NPS group. The contribution of apathy to dementia risk was greater in NC (HR = 5.91, 95% CI: 3.91-8.93) than in MCI (HR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.69-2.77, interaction P < 0.001) and in all APOE genotypes, was greatest in APOE ɛ3 (HR = 4.25, 95% CI: 3.1-5.82, interaction P < 0.001). Discussion Individuals with MBI-apathy have a markedly elevated risk for future dementia, especially when symptoms emerge in those with NC. Both cognitive status and APOE genotype are important moderators in the relationship between MBI-apathy and incident dementia. MBI-apathy may represent a group in whom apathy is a preclinical or prodromal manifestation of dementia and identify a precision medicine target for preventative interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniella Vellone
- Hotchkiss Brain InstituteCumming School of MedicineUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada
| | - Maryam Ghahremani
- Hotchkiss Brain InstituteCumming School of MedicineUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada,Department of PsychiatryCumming School of MedicineUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada
| | - Zahra Goodarzi
- Hotchkiss Brain InstituteCumming School of MedicineUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada,Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and EducationCumming School of MedicineUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada,Department of Community Health SciencesCumming School of MedicineUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada,Department of MedicineCumming School of MedicineUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada,O'Brien Institute for Public HealthCumming School of MedicineUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada
| | - Nils D. Forkert
- Hotchkiss Brain InstituteCumming School of MedicineUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada,Department of RadiologyCumming School of MedicineUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada,Department of Clinical NeurosciencesCumming School of MedicineUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada,Alberta Children's Hospital Research InstituteUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada
| | - Eric E. Smith
- Hotchkiss Brain InstituteCumming School of MedicineUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada,Department of Clinical NeurosciencesCumming School of MedicineUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada
| | - Zahinoor Ismail
- Hotchkiss Brain InstituteCumming School of MedicineUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada,Department of PsychiatryCumming School of MedicineUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada,Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and EducationCumming School of MedicineUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada,Department of Community Health SciencesCumming School of MedicineUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada,Department of MedicineCumming School of MedicineUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada,O'Brien Institute for Public HealthCumming School of MedicineUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada,Department of Clinical NeurosciencesCumming School of MedicineUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada,College of Medicine and HealthUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
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50
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Efficacy of methylphenidate for the treatment of apathy in patients with Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:3743-3753. [PMID: 36243827 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06261-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Despite the reported efficacy of methylphenidate (MET) against Alzheimer's disease (AD)-associated apathy, a recent larger clinical trial was not included in pooled analysis. OBJECTIVES This study aimed at investigating the efficacy of MET for attenuating apathy in patients diagnosed with AD. METHODS The PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases were searched from inception until March, 2022 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The primary outcome was apathy improvement assessed with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) apathy subscale, Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES), or Clinical Global Impressions of Change scale (CGI-C apathy). RESULTS Meta-analysis of four RCTs revealed an improvement in apathy among patients receiving MET compared to placebo (MD = - 5.12, p = 0.04, three trials, 144 participants) at follow-ups of 1-3 months assessed with AES score. Despite the absence of improvement on NPI-apathy subscale at follow-ups of 1-2 months (MD = - 0.74, p = 0.37, three trials, 265 participants), significant improvement was noted at follow-ups of 6 months (MD = - 1.4, p = 0.02, one trial, 180 participants). Assessment with CGI-C apathy revealed no significant association between improvement in apathy with MET use (RR = 1.38, p = 0.05, three trials, 265 participants). No significant differences in global cognitive function (using the Mini Mental State Exam) or adverse events were noted between the two groups. CONCLUSION While AES score suggested an early attenuation effect of MET on apathy in different domains, the NPI-apathy subscale did not show early improvement in apathy until the 6-month follow-up. Further studies with longer follow-ups are needed to elucidate the efficacy of MET for relieving caregiver burden and improving global functional performance.
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