J Geriatr Psych Neur
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J Geriatr Psych Neur · Jun 2013
Apathy in patients with Parkinson disease as a function of side of onset.
In previous studies among patients with Parkinson disease (PD) who were administered the Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES), between 12% and 51% evidenced clinically significant apathy. Although apathy is a risk factor for dementia, its causes and clinical correlates have not been adequately studied. In particular, side of onset of disease, though a likely predictor of apathy and dementia, has not been thoroughly investigated. ⋯ Clinically significant levels of apathy are much more likely to occur in patients with right-onset disease. These patients may be at greater risk of PD-related dementia.