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.
| UPDATED: 14:07, Tue, Dec 15, 2020
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Dementia research aims to identify the onset of dementia as early as possible in order to forestall brain decline. Mapping out the possible symptoms is instrumental to this effort. A new study published in Alzheimer s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer s Association suggests apathy may predict the onset of dementia years in advance of other symptoms.
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Apathy - a lack of interest or motivation - could predict the onset of some forms of dementia many years before symptoms start, offering a window of opportunity to treat the disease at an early stage, according to new research from a team of scientists led by Professor James Rowe at the University of Cambridge.
Frontotemporal dementia is a significant cause of dementia among younger people. It is often diagnosed between the ages of 45 and 65. It changes behaviour, language and personality, leading to impulsivity, socially inappropriate behaviour, and repetitive or compulsive behaviours.
A common feature of frontotemporal dementia is apathy, with a loss of motivation, initiative and interest in things. It is not depression, or laziness, but it can be mistaken for them. Brain scanning studies have shown that in people with frontotemporal dementia it is caused by shrinkage in special parts at the front of the brain - and the more severe the shrinkage, the worse the apathy.
This mental issue could predict dementia years before other symptoms
Credit: CC0 Public Domain
In a new study, researchers found that apathy a lack of interest or motivation could predict the onset of some forms of dementia many years before symptoms start, offering a ‘window of opportunity’ to treat the disease at an early stage.
The research was conducted by a team at the University of Cambridge and elsewhere.
Frontotemporal dementia is a big cause of dementia among younger people. It is often diagnosed between the ages of 45 and 65.
It changes behavior, language, and personality, leading to impulsivity, socially inappropriate behavior, and repetitive or compulsive behaviors.