Apathy, an absence of emotion or enthusiasm, could predict the onset of dementia years before symptoms start, according to a new study led by senior author Prof. James Rowe of the University of Cambridge.
This finding offers a ‘window of opportunity” to treat dementia and Alzheimer’s at an early stage.
Frontotemporal dementia is one of the significant causes of dementia, which is often diagnosed in people between the ages of 45 and 65.
Also called memory loss, dementia changes a person’s behavior, language, and personality.
One of the common features of frontotemporal dementia is apathy, in which a person lacks interest and motivation. However, apathy is not depression or laziness.
In people with frontotemporal dementia, brain imaging studies have shown shrinkage in special parts at the front of the brain. And the more severe the shrinkage, the worse the apathy.
Cognitive scientist and first author Maura Malpetti of the University of Cambridge said, “Apathy is one of the most common symptoms in patients with frontotemporal dementia. It is linked to functional decline, decreased quality of life, loss of independence, and poorer survival.”
“The more we discover about the earliest effects of frontotemporal dementia, when people still feel well in themselves, the better we can treat symptoms and delay or even prevent the dementia,” she added.
The researchers published their findings Monday in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
“By studying people over time, rather than just taking a snapshot, we revealed how even subtle changes in apathy predicted a change in cognition, but not the other way around,” Malpetti explained. “We also saw local brain shrinkage in areas that support motivation and initiative, many years before the expected onset of symptoms.”
Prof. Rogier Kievit of the University of Cambridge, said, “Apathy progresses much faster for those individuals who we know are at greater risk of developing frontotemporal dementia, and this is linked to greater atrophy in the brain.”
“At the start, even though the participants with a genetic mutation felt well and had no symptoms, they were showing greater levels of apathy,” he added. “The amount of apathy predicted cognitive problems in the years ahead.”
“From other research, we know that in patients with frontotemporal dementia, apathy is a bad sign in terms of independent living and survival. Here we show its importance in the decades before symptoms begin,” Prof. Rowe said.
He added, “Treating dementia is a challenge, but the sooner we can diagnose the disease, the greater our window of opportunity to try and intervene and slow or stop its progress.” The article originally appeared on Medical Xpress.
