Apathy: The forgotten symptom of dementia

Source: ​University of Exeter

Apathy is the most common neuropsychiatric symptom of dementia, with a bigger impact on function than memory loss -- yet it is under-researched and often forgotten in care. A new study has found that apathy is present nearly half of all people with dementia, with researchers finding it is often distinct from depression.

Although common, apathy is often ignored as it is less disruptive in settings such as care homes than symptoms like aggression. Defined by a loss of interest and emotions, it is extremely distressing for families and it is linked with more severe dementia and worse clinical symptoms.
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Now, research led by the University of Exeter and presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in LA has analysed 4,320 people with Alzheimer's disease from 20 cohort studies, to look at the prevalence of apathy over time.

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