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Do people become more apathetic as they grow older? A longitudinal study in healthy individuals

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 December 2009

Henry Brodaty ,
Annette Altendorf ,
Adrienne Withall  and
Perminder Sachdev
Henry Brodaty*
Affiliation:
School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Primary Dementia Collaborative Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Academic Department for Old Age Psychiatry, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
Annette Altendorf
Affiliation:
School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Academic Department for Old Age Psychiatry, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
Adrienne Withall
Affiliation:
School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Primary Dementia Collaborative Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Academic Department for Old Age Psychiatry, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
Perminder Sachdev
Affiliation:
School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Primary Dementia Collaborative Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Professor Henry Brodaty, Academic Department for Old Age Psychiatry, The Euroa Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital, Avoca St, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia. Phone: +61 2 9382 3759; Fax: +61 2 9382 3762. Email: h.brodaty@unsw.edu.au.
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Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to determine levels, rates and progression of apathy in healthy older persons and to investigate factors associated with its progression.

Methods: Seventy-six healthy elderly subjects, aged 58–85 years (mean 69.9), who were recruited by general advertisement and through local community groups, participated as a control group for a longitudinal study of stroke patients. Data were collected on demographic, psychological, neuropsychological and neuroimaging (MRI) variables and apathy was rated by informants on the Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES).

Results: Apathy scores and rates increased over 5 years, especially in men. Change of apathy was associated with informant ratings of cognitive decline in the years prior to baseline assessment but not to subsequent neuropsychological, neuroimaging or functional changes.

Conclusions: Apathy increases with age in otherwise healthy community-dwelling individuals, particularly in men.

Keywords

apathymotivationhealthy elderlyaginglongitudinal study
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 22 , Issue 3 , May 2010 , pp. 426 - 436
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2009

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