MedicalXPress — 15 October 2020
Research published in the journal Neurology suggests that people who lack interest in the world around them are at an increased risk of developing dementia. The research team followed over 2,000 people for nine years and found that 381 developed likely dementia. Severe apathy was linked with an increased risk of dementia compared to low apathy. People with apathy often show a lack of interest in the world around them, stop taking part in normal activities, show little emotion, and have a lack of energy. Dr. Sara Imarisio of Alzheimer’s Research UK said: “Symptoms of apathy are common in dementia and are not necessarily symptoms of depression. Many people with dementia are mistakenly diagnosed as having depression, particularly in the early stages.”