Your loved one’s apathy might be a sign of dementia

Dementia experts have often hypothesized about a correlation between symptoms of apathy and dementia. Now a recent study published by Neatherlands’ University Medical Center Utrecht and other institution researchers shows data that confirms the notion.

Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Brain Health Director James Leverenz told VOXXI he’s not surprised.

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“Those of us who work in the field have long recognized that this symptom often interpreted as depression is really what we call apathy,” Leverenz said “It’s very common in Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, and actually can be one of the first behavioral symptoms that we see in the dementing disorders.”

He added, “It gives us real data to say that the symptom of apathy can be telling us that something isn’t quite right with the brain.”

Researchers in the study examined brain imaging changes in the elderly that could represent early alterations in cerebral function often associated with dementia. However, a key element of the study differentiates between the apathy and depression, which Leverenz stressed are often confused for each other but are indeed two different things.

“People with apathy just sort of lose their interest in participating in activities and not because they’re depressed,” Leverenz said. “If you take them out and do things they like to do – visit grandkids, go to their favorite restaurant – they can still enjoy themselves, which is the difference between apathy and depression.

“Depressed patients can’t even enjoy things they used to typically enjoy.”

Also, inherently older people do slow down and may not be as active as they once were. Still, there’s also a fine line between apathy and aging.

“There are psychological and physical components,” Leverenz said. “A lot of people who can’t, for example,  go to a baseball game anymore because they’re physically unable but psychologically they’d like to go.”

The new study followed nearly 4,400 subjects aged 76 who didn’t have dementia, which through a loss of thinking, remembering, reasoning and behavioral abilities interferes with a person’s daily life.

Not only did the seniors have an MRI scan but they also were measured for apathy symptoms. The study revealed those with two or more apathy symptoms had reduced amounts of gray and white matter in their brains. The former is where learning occurs, the latter acts as a communication line.

Leverenz stressed that having apathy symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean the person is in the early stages of dementia.

“There are really a number of things associated with apathy – physical activity, mild cognitive impairment, stroke, anti-depressant use,” Leverenz said. “Some of which can be treated, so it’s worth going to your clinician and saying something is not right.”

As far as staving of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, Leverenz said there are numerous suggestions for people of all ages.

“We have very good evidence that physical activity is very important in preventing cognitive impairment in later life,” Leverenz said. “This is something that people can do at any stage. Also, leading a healthy lifestyle. We often say, ‘What’s good for you heart is good for your brain.’

“Seeing your physician and doing the prevention components such as making sure your cholesterol levels are normal, that your heart is beating correctly. Not smoking is a good one. Healthy lifestyle really does seem to help prevent things like Alzheimer’s.”

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