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Jenkins LM, Wang L, Rosen H, Weintraub S. A transdiagnostic review of neuroimaging studies of apathy and disinhibition in dementia. Brain 2022; 145:1886-1905. [PMID: 35388419 PMCID: PMC9630876 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Apathy and disinhibition are common and highly distressing neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with negative outcomes in persons with dementia. This paper is a critical review of functional and structural neuroimaging studies of these symptoms transdiagnostically in dementia of the Alzheimer type, which is characterized by prominent amnesia early in the disease course, and behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia, characterized by early social-comportmental deficits. We describe the prevalence and clinical correlates of these symptoms and describe methodological issues, including difficulties with symptom definition and different measurement instruments. We highlight the heterogeneity of findings, noting however, a striking similarity of the set of brain regions implicated across clinical diagnoses and symptoms. These regions involve several key nodes of the salience network, and we describe the functions and anatomical connectivity of these brain areas, as well as present a new theoretical account of disinhibition in dementia. Future avenues for research are discussed, including the importance of transdiagnostic studies, measuring subdomains of apathy and disinhibition, and examining different units of analysis for deepening our understanding of the networks and mechanisms underlying these extremely distressing symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisanne M Jenkins
- Correspondence to: Lisanne Jenkins 710 N Lakeshore Drive, Suite 1315 Chicago, IL 60611, USA E-mail:
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Howie Rosen
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA 94158
| | - Sandra Weintraub
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA,Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA 60611
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2
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Revisiting Apathy in Alzheimer's Disease: From Conceptualization to Therapeutic Approaches. Behav Neurol 2021; 2021:6319826. [PMID: 34394772 PMCID: PMC8356015 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6319826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Apathy is a neurobehavioral syndrome characterized by impaired motivation for goal-directed behaviors and cognitive activity, alongside blunted affect. Apathy is a common neuropsychiatric syndrome in Alzheimer's disease (AD), with a 5-year prevalence over 70%. Apathy also serves as a prognostic indicator, correlating with the progression of AD. Despite advances in its conceptualization and understanding of its neural basis, there is very limited empirical evidence to support the available strategies for the treatment of apathy in AD. Given its complex pathophysiology, including distinct substrates for different apathy dimensions (affective, cognitive, and behavioral), it is unlikely that a single pharmacological or nonpharmacological strategy will be effective for all cases of apathy in AD. High-quality evidence research is needed to better understand the role of specific strategies aiming at a personalized approach.
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Miller DS, Robert P, Ereshefsky L, Adler L, Bateman D, Cummings J, DeKosky ST, Fischer CE, Husain M, Ismail Z, Jaeger J, Lerner AJ, Li A, Lyketsos CG, Manera V, Mintzer J, Moebius HJ, Mortby M, Meulien D, Pollentier S, Porsteinsson A, Rasmussen J, Rosenberg PB, Ruthirakuhan MT, Sano M, Zucchero Sarracini C, Lanctôt KL. Diagnostic criteria for apathy in neurocognitive disorders. Alzheimers Dement 2021; 17:1892-1904. [PMID: 33949763 PMCID: PMC8835377 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Apathy is common in neurocognitive disorders (NCD) but NCD-specific diagnostic criteria are needed. METHODS The International Society for CNS Clinical Trials Methodology Apathy Work Group convened an expert group and sought input from academia, health-care, industry, and regulatory bodies. A modified Delphi methodology was followed, and included an extensive literature review, two surveys, and two meetings at international conferences, culminating in a consensus meeting in 2019. RESULTS The final criteria reached consensus with more than 80% agreement on all parts and included: limited to people with NCD; symptoms persistent or frequently recurrent over at least 4 weeks, a change from the patient's usual behavior, and including one of the following: diminished initiative, diminished interest, or diminished emotional expression/responsiveness; causing significant functional impairment and not exclusively explained by other etiologies. DISCUSSION These criteria provide a framework for defining apathy as a unique clinical construct in NCD for diagnosis and further research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Philippe Robert
- Cognition Behaviour Technology Lab, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.,Association Innovation Alzheimer, Nice, France.,Centre Memoire, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Nice, France
| | | | - Lawrence Adler
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Daniel Bateman
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Jeff Cummings
- Department of Brain Health, School of Integrated Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.,Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
| | - Steven T DeKosky
- Department of Neurology, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Corinne E Fischer
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Research, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Masud Husain
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
| | - Zahinoor Ismail
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Alan J Lerner
- University Hospitals - Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Abby Li
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Valeria Manera
- Cognition Behaviour Technology Lab, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.,Association Innovation Alzheimer, Nice, France
| | - Jacobo Mintzer
- Medical University of South Carolina and Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Administration Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | | | - Moyra Mortby
- UNSW Ageing Futures Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Didier Meulien
- Clinical Research and Development, H. Lundbeck A/S, Valby, Denmark
| | - Stephane Pollentier
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, CNS Diseases Research, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Mary Sano
- Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Krista L Lanctôt
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology/Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Gracia-García P, Modrego P, Lobo A. Apathy and neurocognitive correlates: review from the perspective of 'precision psychiatry'. Curr Opin Psychiatry 2021; 34:193-198. [PMID: 33395095 DOI: 10.1097/yco.0000000000000677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW From the perspective of motivated behaviour and the so-called 'precision psychiatry', we try to identify recent advances in the neurocognitive and biological correlates of apathy. RECENT FINDINGS New evidence supports the notion that apathy is a common transdiagnostic and heterogeneous clinical syndrome, now conceptualized as a reduction in 'goal-directed' activity. Similarly, abundant evidence has been found related to neurocognitive correlates of apathy and the associations between clinical apathy and the processes primarily responsible for mediating motivational drive and effort-based decision making.Notwithstanding that the neurobiological basis is still poorly understood, there is some agreement in recent articles about a common system-level mechanism underlying apathy, pointing at specific medial frontal cortex and subcortical structures, including anterior cingulate cortex, medial orbitofrontal cortex and ventral striatum and related circuitry. SUMMARY Although difficulties in interpreting the results of these studies are apparent, because of different concepts of apathy used and methodological shortcomings identified, we have found consistent advances in the neurocognitive and biological correlates of apathy, relevant for the deep phenotyping proposed by the 'precision psychiatry' approach. This framework may eventually facilitate the identification of predictive-risk models and new specific therapeutic targets in psychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Gracia-García
- Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet
- Departamento de Medicina y Psiquiatría, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón [IIS Aragón]
- CIBERSAM, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Pedro Modrego
- Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet
- Departamento de Medicina y Psiquiatría, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón [IIS Aragón]
- CIBERSAM, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Antonio Lobo
- Departamento de Medicina y Psiquiatría, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón [IIS Aragón]
- CIBERSAM, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Zaragoza, Spain
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Raimo S, Santangelo G, Trojano L. The emotional disorders associated with multiple sclerosis. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2021; 183:197-220. [PMID: 34389118 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-822290-4.00009-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with a high prevalence of emotional and mood disorders. Emotional disorders may worsen during illness progression and affect the quality of life of patients and their families. MS is often associated with depression, with an increased risk of suicide, poor adherence to treatment, decreased functional status, and quality of life. The diagnosis and treatment of emotional and mood disorders in these patients is often challenging since several symptoms of these disorders overlap with those of MS. Other prevalent emotional disorders in MS include bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, emotional blunting (apathy), and pseudobulbar affect. Early recognition and treatment of these comorbidities could contribute to the reduction of disability and even to decreased mortality. The aim of this chapter is to provide an up-to-date review of mood and emotional disorders that are often associated with MS, focusing on their epidemiology, clinical features, pathogenesis, assessment, and treatment. The interplay between the psychosocial impact of the chronic disability and the demyelinating structural lesions of the brain in precipitating emotional and mood disorders is discussed, as well as its implications for diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Raimo
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy.
| | - Gabriella Santangelo
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | - Luigi Trojano
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
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Lacourt TE, Heijnen CJ, Manzullo EF, Escalante C. A central role for apathy in the effectiveness of interventions for cancer-related fatigue. Psychooncology 2020; 29:1613-1619. [PMID: 32658377 PMCID: PMC10406137 DOI: 10.1002/pon.5476] [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: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) affects a substantial number of cancer patients and survivors. Recommendations for CRF treatments are largely based on results of randomized controlled trials. The interpretability of such results is limited to patients eligible and willing to participate in these trials. We aimed to address this limitation in a retrospective study of patients seen at a CRF clinic in a comprehensive cancer center. The objectives were to (a) determine the effectiveness of clinician-initiated interventions for CRF and identify their mediators and (b) describe the frequency and effectiveness of patient-initiated physical activity (PA) behavior for alleviating CRF and identify determinants of this PA. METHODS Data (patient-reported somatic and mood symptoms; clinical data; clinician-documented changes in medication and behavior) from n = 213 patients collected as part of the clinic's standard of care at initial clinical consult and follow-up 4 to 11 weeks later were included. Effects of clinician-initiated interventions and patient-initiated PA on change in fatigue were analyzed using linear models. RESULTS Of all clinician-initiated interventions, only psychostimulant start was recorded frequent enough for further investigation and was associated with reduced fatigue; this association was mediated by a reduction in apathy. PA was also associated with reduced fatigue severity. PA initiation/increase after consult was associated with lower apathy at consult. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate a major role for patient apathy in the effectiveness and initiation of CRF-targeting interventions. Behavioral therapies focusing on reduction in apathy should be considered as initial treatment of CRF in those with substantial apathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara E Lacourt
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Symptom Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Cobi J Heijnen
- Department of Symptom Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ellen F Manzullo
- Department of General Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Carmen Escalante
- Department of General Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Brown DS, Barrett MJ, Flanigan JL, Sperling SA. Clinical and demographic correlates of apathy in Parkinson's disease. J Neurol 2019; 266:507-514. [PMID: 30604055 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-018-9166-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To better understand the demographic, neuropsychiatric, cognitive, and motor predictors of apathy in Parkinson's disease (PD). METHOD 112 participants (Mage = 68.53 years; Mdisease duration = 6.17 years) were administered the Apathy Scale (AS), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), Trail Making Test (TMT), Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV Matrix Reasoning subtest, letter (F-A-S) and category (Animals) fluency, and Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised. Psychosis was assessed. A stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the ability of demographic factors and clinical assessments to predict nonapathetic (AS ≤ 13) versus apathetic (AS > 13) group membership. RESULTS The regression analysis yielded a robust model in which older age, less education, elevated BDI-II, current psychosis, higher MDS-UPDRS Part III (motor score), and slower TMT-B performance predicted membership in the apathetic group, with a correct classification rate of 77.5% (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.48, p < .001). Depression (OR = 9.20, p < .001) and education (OR = 0.66, p = 0.002) contributed significantly to the overall model. A linear regression with AS score as the outcome variable was similar, but TMT-B additionally contributed significantly (p = 0.02) to the overall model, F(6, 86) = 12.02, p < .001, adjusted R2 = 0.42. CONCLUSIONS Of the factors examined, depression, education, and executive functioning were the strongest correlates of apathy in PD. These results support the idea that common underlying frontosubcortical disruptions in this population contribute to apathy, depression, and executive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S Brown
- Department of Neurology, University of Virginia, PO Box 800394, 22908-0394, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Matthew J Barrett
- Department of Neurology, University of Virginia, PO Box 800394, 22908-0394, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Joseph L Flanigan
- Department of Neurology, University of Virginia, PO Box 800394, 22908-0394, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Scott A Sperling
- Department of Neurology, University of Virginia, PO Box 800394, 22908-0394, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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