Midlife motivational abilities predict apathy and depression in Alzheimer disease: The aging, demographics, and memory study
Date
2011
Authors
Mortby, Moyra
Maercker, Andreas
Forstmeier, Simon
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Volume Title
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Abstract
Apathy and depression are the most common neuropsychiatric symptoms in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer disease (AD). This study was the first to explore midlife motivational abilities as a predictor of the progression of apathy and depression in MCI and AD. It used a subsample of the Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study (N = 137). Participants, aged over 70, were categorized according to baseline clinical diagnosis (normal cognition, MCI, or AD). Assessments were conducted at an 18-month interval. Neuropsychiatric symptoms were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. Midlife motivational abilities were estimated on the basis of the main occupation using the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) database, which provides detailed information on worker abilities. Repeated measures analysis of covariance was used. Apathy and depression were found to be particularly high in participants with AD and high motivational abilities. Apathy, but not depression, increased over time in those with AD and high motivational abilities. It would appear that holding on to unattainable goals with strong motivational efforts when faced with severe cognitive loss might lead to unproductive persistence, depressive reaction, and more apathetic behavior.
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Keywords
Keywords: aged; Alzheimer disease; apathy; article; controlled study; depression; disease course; disease severity; female; follow up; goal attainment; human; major clinical study; male; midlife motivational ability; mild cognitive impairment; motivation; neuropsyc Alzheimer disease; apathy; behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia; dementia; depression; motivation
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Source
Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology
Type
Journal article
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2037-12-31