Dissociating apathy and depression in Parkinson disease.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the hypothesis that apathy is a core feature of Parkinson disease (PD) and that apathy can be dissociated from depression.


METHODS
Eighty patients with PD and 20 patients with dystonia completed depression and apathy measures including the Marin Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Centers for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D).


RESULTS
There was a significantly higher severity and frequency of apathy in PD (frequency = 51%, 41/80) than in dystonia (frequency = 20%, 4/20). Apathy in the absence of depression was frequent in PD and did not occur in dystonia (PD = 28.8%, dystonia = 0%).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with Parkinson disease (PD) experienced significantly higher frequency and severity of apathy when compared with patients with dystonia. Apathy may be a "core" feature of PD and occurs in the absence of depression.
Kirsch-Darrow
L
L
Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville 32608, USA. lkirsch@phhp.ufl.edu
Fernandez
H H
HH
Fernandez
H F
HF
Marsiske
M
M
Okun
M S
MS
Bowers
D
D
D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D004421:Dystonia / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires