Apathy syndrome treated successfully with modafinil.
The treatment of apathy is often complicated and difficult. The authors present a case of apathy syndrome that was treated successfully with modafinil. An 87-year-old widowed Brazilian woman presented with loss of interest and pleasure in activities. Her level of apathy, as evaluated by the Brazilian care giver version of the apathy scale, was 25 (a score higher than 18 points is associated with an apathy syndrome). No diagnosis of depression or sleep disorder was noted. After 2 years with many different antidepressants, modafinil treatment was started at 100 mg/day. One month after the initiation of modafinil therapy, the patient reported feeling more motivation, and she also returned to her favorite physical activity, which was swimming (400 m/day). Apathy scale revealed an improvement (18 points). Actigraphic analysis was performed, and no sleep disturbances were noted before or after treatment. Modafinil may be a promising option in the treatment of apathy.
Geriatric Medical Centre, University Hospital, Brasilia University, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil. einstein@unb.br
Einstein Francisco
EF
Camargos
Juliana Lima
JL
Quintas
D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D057565:Apathy; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077408:Modafinil; D013577:Syndrome
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D000077408:Modafinil