Authors: David S. Miller, Philippe Robert, Larry Ereshefsky, Lawrence Adler, Daniel Bateman, Jeff Cummings, Steven T. DeKosky, Corinne E. Fischer, Masud Husain, Zahinoor Ismail, Judith Jaeger, Alan J. Lerner, Abby Li, Constantine G. Lyketsos, Valeria Manera, Jacobo Mintzer, Hans J. Moebius, Moyra Mortby, Didier Meulien, Stephane Pollentier, Anton Porsteinsson, Jill Rasmussen, Paul B. Rosenberg, Myuri T. Ruthirakuhan, Mary Sano, Carla Zucchero Sarracini, Krista L. Lanctôt
Published: 2021-05-10
DOI: 10.1002/alz.12358
Source: Full article
AbstractIntroductionApathy is common in neurocognitive disorders (NCD) but NCD‐specific diagnostic criteria are needed.MethodsThe International Society for CNS Clinical Trials Methodology Apathy Work Group convened an expert group and sought input from academia, health‐care, industry, and regulatory bodies. A modified Delphi methodology was followed, and included an extensive literature review, two surveys, and two meetings at international conferences, culminating in a consensus meeting in 2019.ResultsThe final criteria reached consensus with more than 80% agreement on all parts and included: limited to people with NCD; symptoms persistent or frequently recurrent over at least 4 weeks, a change from the patient's usual behavior, and including one of the following: diminished initiative, diminished interest, or diminished emotional expression/responsiveness; causing significant functional impairment and not exclusively explained by other etiologies.DiscussionThese criteria provide a framework for defining apathy as a unique clinical construct in NCD for diagnosis and further research.