Apathy May Be an Early Predictor of Dementia Years Before Other Symptoms Show
CLARE WATSON
17 DECEMBER 2020
We all have days where we struggle to get out of bed. But everyday laziness should not be mistaken for apathy – a disabling lack of interest, emotion, or motivation – which new research suggests could be an early marker of dementia in at-risk families.
Following 600 people for two years, a new study has found apathy occurred early, worsened over time, and predicted a decline in brain function in people who had inherited a genetic risk of dementia but were otherwise healthy.
There are many forms of dementia, which is an umbrella term for a collection of symptoms caused by brain disorders.