Alzheimer s & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer s Association | 2021
Diagnostic criteria for apathy in neurocognitive disorders.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION\nApathy is common in neurocognitive disorders (NCD) but NCD-specific diagnostic criteria are needed.\n\n\nMETHODS\nThe 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.\n\n\nRESULTS\nThe 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\xa0weeks, 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.\n\n\nDISCUSSION\nThese criteria provide a framework for defining apathy as a unique clinical construct in NCD for diagnosis and further research.