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. Loss of interest/curiosity in new interest/curiosity of . Loss Cognitive to reaction passion or of lack A . Emotional for a need initiating activity, Trouble . Behavioral things. evoke would that normally situations or news an emotion. tasks. one to complete to prompt others What is Apathy? it In PD, motivation. of as a lack is defined Apathy forms: shows up in three • • • who also had apathy with PD people In one study, hobbies and spent time pursuing almost no spent TV as those withoutas twice much time watching find themselves may with apathy People apathy. independentlythemselves of care take to less able A recent study found that about 40 percent of 40 percent that about found study recent A a motivational apathy, experience with PD people getting trouble people have which in disorder recently, activities. Until in daily interested ofform as a misunderstood largely was apathy defines community the medical Today depression. with as distinct syndromes and depression apathy features. overlapping care their with PD, that people It is important to able be teams health their partners and and depression. apathy distinguish between actually can depression for used Medications depression and apathy Both worse. apathy make and cognitive the movement intensify can is critical apathy Treating PD. of symptoms Continue well-being. health and improving to it differs — how learn about apathy to reading PD canwith people and how depression from with its effects. cope Why do some people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experience reduced interest, interest, reduced experience (PD) disease with Parkinson’s people do some Why in changes the same Parkinson’s In be apathy. could It enthusiasm? or motivation mood, affectcan also a person’s symptoms movement cause can chemistry that brain and motivation. energy
Parkinson’s Disease Parkinson’s Apathy and Apathy
Living with PD Living with PD Living with Treatment The first thing a person with PD and his or TIP her care partner should do upon experiencing Coping with Apathy apathy is to consult the movement disorder There are also many non-drug approaches that specialist to ensure that PD medications are may help a person with PD who is experiencing working optimally. The primary goals for treating apathy to get motivated. The key for success is
Ap apathy are similar to those used for treating to set concrete and obtainable goals. A person
a PD movement symptoms: increase dopamine
thy with PD who is experiencing apathy may find in the brain and improve the effect of anti-PD it helpful to try dance therapy, music therapy, medications. There is no one-size-fits-all therapy a nd Pa rkinson’s D ise a exercise, crafts, outings or cognitive challenges for apathy, but research provides some insights. (e.g., computer games, crossword puzzles, For example: bingo or card games). If you’re a care partner, • A trial comparing the two most commonly- provide positive feedback when goals are used dopamine agonists found pramipexole achieved, but also be prepared for setbacks. (Mirapex®) to be more effective for apathy than How can a person with PD get motivated to do ropinirole (Requip®). these activities? The key is to have goals that • A study found that the rivastigmine (Exelon®) are SMART. “patch,” a treatment for Alzheimer’s, was ✓✓ Specific: when and where will the person effective for treating apathy in people with PD se with PD do the chosen activity? How often who did not have dementia. will he or she do it? • Another study of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) showed ✓✓ Measurable: track your progress. that people who received the experimental ✓✓ Attainable: you don’t have to go fast, you treatment and those who received a placebo just have to go. both improved dramatically. The act of participating in the study itself may have ✓✓ Relevant: focus on the most pressing boosted motivation. needs — like getting up and moving or not missing a doctor appointment — above less Better Understanding Apathy necessary tasks. ✓✓ Timely: set a schedule with reminders. The Parkinson’s Foundation is committed to better understanding how to help people with PD overcome Apathy. In 2017, we funded Nabila Call our Helpline for more information at Dahodwala, MD, at University of Pennsylvania to 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636). study goal-directed behavior in Parkinson’s. This study will test a new way of measuring goal- directed behavior in Parkinson’s. It will also use brain imaging to observe brain changes that occur when people experience apathy and cognitive impairment. The hope is that the study will shed light on the mechanisms underlying apathy and cognition in PD and help in more easily diagnosing them. This knowledge will ultimately allow for the development of targeted PD treatments.
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