Physical brain changes may contribute to apathy among dementia patients, research finds

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Certain changes in the brain's white matter may influence levels of apathy in dementia patients, according to a new study.

Apathy is a common psychological problem for people with dementia and is often associated with decreased quality of life and increased rates of institutionalization, according to researchers at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. Roughly 82% of dementia patients who exhibit particular changes to the white matter (they appear as blurred patches on CT and MRI images) were also categorized as apathetic. Comparatively, 58% of all the dementia patients, regardless of brain changes, were apathetic.

Researchers hope to discover which brain pathways these brain changes affect, and thus be able to develop treatments to reduce apathy. The report appears in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

DEMENTIA: MORE THAN JUST AN AGED CARE ISSUE

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Australian Aging Agenda

Dementia is not just a concern for aged care providers but a pressing public health issue, according to the CEO of Alzheimer’s Australia.

Glenn Rees told a summit on Australia’s ageing population that dementia is a chronic condition that requires coordinated care planning.

The number of people with dementia is set to double by 2030 and without immediate government action, this could have serious effects on the health system.

Mr Rees told the forum that there should be a bigger focus on dementia in primary and acute care, noting that hospitals can be “dangerous” places for people with dementia.

“I believe there is a need to provide incentives through Medicare to promote timely and accurate diagnosis and ongoing support for people with dementia and their family carers,” he said.

“Australia should follow the lead of the UK National Healthcare Service in developing a five year strategy to train all GPs in dementia diagnosis and to support them with specialist services.”

Mr Rees praised the former government forlaunching the Dementia Initiative 2005, which led to the development of the EACH [Extended Aged Care at Home] Dementia packages.

But he reiterated the recommendations of last month’s Access Economics report, calling for more appropriate dementia respite services, revisions to the aged care planning process and quality standards for dementia ca
Turning to aged care staff interactions with people who have dementia, Mr Rees highlighted the importance of about.......aging care agenda