Apathy and Depression in Mild Alzheimer’s Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Diagnostic Criteria

Abstract. Apathy and depression are the most frequent neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In a cross-sectional observational study of 734 subjects with probable mild AD, we evaluated the prevalence of apathy and depression. After the use of specific diagnostic criteria, we tested the interaction between the two syndromes and their relation with specific comorbidities, and different functional outcomes. Depression was diagnosed using the diagnostic criteria for depression in AD, and apathy with the diagnostic criteria for apathy in neuropsychiatric disorders. According to the specific diagnostic criteria, depression had a 47.9 % prevalence, while apathy prevalence was 41.6%. Apathy and depression were associated in 32.4% of patients (n = 225). 9.4 % (n = 65) had only apathy, 15.4 % (n = 107) had only depression, and 42.9 % had no apathy and n