Exploring apathy components and their relationship in cognitive decline: insights from a network cross-sectional study
Abstract Background Apathy worsens with age and cognitive decline, particularly in Alzheimer’s, leading to functional and cognitive deterioration. Comprehending its broad impact is vital for customized, preventive treatments. Methods The study examined 214 adults divided in three groups—Mild Cogniti...
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2025-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02239-x |
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| author | Pierfrancesco Sarti Simone Varrasi Claudia Savia Guerrera Giuseppe Alessio Platania Giovanna Furneri Vittoria Torre Francesco Maria Boccaccio Veronica Rivi Sophie Tascedda Concetta Pirrone Mario Santagati Johanna M. C. Blom Sabrina Castellano Filippo Caraci |
| author_facet | Pierfrancesco Sarti Simone Varrasi Claudia Savia Guerrera Giuseppe Alessio Platania Giovanna Furneri Vittoria Torre Francesco Maria Boccaccio Veronica Rivi Sophie Tascedda Concetta Pirrone Mario Santagati Johanna M. C. Blom Sabrina Castellano Filippo Caraci |
| author_sort | Pierfrancesco Sarti |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Apathy worsens with age and cognitive decline, particularly in Alzheimer’s, leading to functional and cognitive deterioration. Comprehending its broad impact is vital for customized, preventive treatments. Methods The study examined 214 adults divided in three groups—Mild Cognitive Impairment, mild Alzheimer’s, and controls—using neuropsychological tests and questionnaires, with statistical and network analysis to explore apathy’s links with other group variables related to demographics and treatment. Results Notable differences were observed among the groups' performance of administered tests. While inferential statistics failed to return a predictive model of apathy in mild Alzheimer’s, networks and cluster analyses indicate that the demographic variables analysed have different importance at different times of disease progression and that cognitive apathy is particularly prominent in AD-related decline. Conclusions Network analysis revealed insights into dementia risk differentiation, notably the impact of sex and demographic factors, beyond the scope of traditional statistics. It highlighted cognitive apathy as a key area for personalized intervention strategies more than behavioural and emotional, emphasizing the importance of short-term goals and not taking away the person's autonomy when not strictly necessary. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-17e8f72f31bc42a5bcd51089fe5d59f1 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-17e8f72f31bc42a5bcd51089fe5d59f12025-08-20T02:15:01ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832025-02-0113111610.1186/s40359-024-02239-xExploring apathy components and their relationship in cognitive decline: insights from a network cross-sectional studyPierfrancesco Sarti0Simone Varrasi1Claudia Savia Guerrera2Giuseppe Alessio Platania3Giovanna Furneri4Vittoria Torre5Francesco Maria Boccaccio6Veronica Rivi7Sophie Tascedda8Concetta Pirrone9Mario Santagati10Johanna M. C. Blom11Sabrina Castellano12Filippo Caraci13Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaDepartment of Educational Sciences, University of CataniaDepartment of Educational Sciences, University of CataniaDepartment of Educational Sciences, University of CataniaDepartment of Educational Sciences, University of CataniaDepartment of Educational Sciences, University of CataniaDepartment of Educational Sciences, University of CataniaDepartment of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaFaculté de Biologie et de Médecine, Université de LausanneDepartment of Educational Sciences, University of CataniaASP3 Catania, Department of Mental Health, Alzheimer Psychogeriatric CenterDepartment of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaDepartment of Educational Sciences, University of CataniaDepartment of Drug and Health Sciences, University of CataniaAbstract Background Apathy worsens with age and cognitive decline, particularly in Alzheimer’s, leading to functional and cognitive deterioration. Comprehending its broad impact is vital for customized, preventive treatments. Methods The study examined 214 adults divided in three groups—Mild Cognitive Impairment, mild Alzheimer’s, and controls—using neuropsychological tests and questionnaires, with statistical and network analysis to explore apathy’s links with other group variables related to demographics and treatment. Results Notable differences were observed among the groups' performance of administered tests. While inferential statistics failed to return a predictive model of apathy in mild Alzheimer’s, networks and cluster analyses indicate that the demographic variables analysed have different importance at different times of disease progression and that cognitive apathy is particularly prominent in AD-related decline. Conclusions Network analysis revealed insights into dementia risk differentiation, notably the impact of sex and demographic factors, beyond the scope of traditional statistics. It highlighted cognitive apathy as a key area for personalized intervention strategies more than behavioural and emotional, emphasizing the importance of short-term goals and not taking away the person's autonomy when not strictly necessary.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02239-xNetwork analysisDementiaAlzheimer’s diseaseMCICognitionIntervention strategies |
| spellingShingle | Pierfrancesco Sarti Simone Varrasi Claudia Savia Guerrera Giuseppe Alessio Platania Giovanna Furneri Vittoria Torre Francesco Maria Boccaccio Veronica Rivi Sophie Tascedda Concetta Pirrone Mario Santagati Johanna M. C. Blom Sabrina Castellano Filippo Caraci Exploring apathy components and their relationship in cognitive decline: insights from a network cross-sectional study BMC Psychology Network analysis Dementia Alzheimer’s disease MCI Cognition Intervention strategies |
| title | Exploring apathy components and their relationship in cognitive decline: insights from a network cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Exploring apathy components and their relationship in cognitive decline: insights from a network cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Exploring apathy components and their relationship in cognitive decline: insights from a network cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring apathy components and their relationship in cognitive decline: insights from a network cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Exploring apathy components and their relationship in cognitive decline: insights from a network cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | exploring apathy components and their relationship in cognitive decline insights from a network cross sectional study |
| topic | Network analysis Dementia Alzheimer’s disease MCI Cognition Intervention strategies |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02239-x |
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