Neurocognitive Disorder-Specific Apathy Criteria Developed

David Miller, MD

The International Society for Central Nervous System Clinical Trials Methodology (ISCTM) Apathy Work Group (AWG) has detailed neurocognitive disorders (NCD)-specific criteria for apathy to help further diagnosis and research. The criteria were developed by literature review, a preliminary and consensus survey, and a preliminary and consensus international meeting.

An expert group finalized criteria for NCD apathy that reached more than 80% agreement in a consensus survey. These criteria were defined as significant functional impairment not exclusively explained by other etiologies and resulting from diminished initiative, diminished interest, or diminished emotional expression/responsiveness. Symptoms must be a change from the patient's usual behavior and persistent or frequently recurrent over at least 4 weeks in people with NCD.

“To date, apathy has commonly been defined using arbitrary cut-offs on various scales meant to capture symptom burden rather than with specific diagnostic criteria,” wrote first author David Miller, MD, clinical vice president, Signant Health; chair, Alzheimer’s Association Research Roundtable; and co-chair, ISCTM Behavioral and Psychiatric Symptoms in Dementia work group, and colleagues. “Diagnostic criteria would provide a consistent definition of apathy, which in turn could advance research, particularly that delineating the neurobiological correlates of apathy and identifying effective treatments for patients.”

Miler, along with the AWG, sought to determine NCD-specific diagnostic criteria for apathy, a common symptom of NCD. They used the 2018 Revised Diagnostic Criteria as an initial framework for their own principles. They used a 5-step modified Delphi methodology: 1. literature review; 2. preliminary survey; 3. preliminary international meeting (to define criteria); 4. consensus survey; and 5. final international meeting (to finalize consensus criteria). 

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Through the literature review, the investigators decided to keep the cognitive and behavioral domains separate for NCD and to not introduce a social withdrawal domain. The preliminary survey suggested that NCD-specific apathy diagnostic criteria are important for research and clinical practice. Issues raised during the survey were raised at the international meeting.

The consensus survey had 143 respondents from 30 countries. Of those, 29% were members of ISCTM, 33% were members of the International Psychogeriatric Association, and 41% were members of the International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment’s Neuropsychiatric Symptoms Professional Interest Area group. Some respondents were members of multiple groups. The majority of respondents (62%) were physicians, though 11% were from industry, and 4% of respondents from regulatory bodies.

The survey found that 85.9% of respondents agreed with criterion A: “The patient meets criteria for mild or major neurocognitive disorder (e.g.: AD, FTD, DLB, vascular dementia, a pre-dementia cognitive impairment syndrome such as mild cognitive impairment, prodromal AD, subjective cognitive impairment, or other cognitive disorder).” Similarly, 88.1% agreed with criterion C: “These symptoms cause clinically significant impairment in personal, social, occupational, and/or other important areas of functioning,” and criterion D: “These symptoms are not exclusively explained by physical disabilities, motor disabilities, diminished level of consciousness, or the direct physiological effects of a substance.” 

Other facets of the criteria were revised in response to the consensus survey. Overall, 92.7% of respondents agreed that the criteria are useful for clinical purposes and 90.2% agreed that they are useful for research purposes. During the final international meeting, wording of the criteria was further adjusted and finalized.

The authors concluded by stressing the limitations of posing diagnostic criteria for apathy and other neuropsychiatric symptoms, as they often occur in close conjunction with each other and may be difficult to isolate. “Updated criteria may not address all issues regarding the identification, assessment, and treatment of apathy and this would be an oversimplification of the complexity of the apathy construct. Nevertheless, criteria will help consistently define a population of patients suffering from a clinically significant syndrome, even in the presence of differing underlying diseases,” Miller and colleagues concluded.

REFERENCE

Miller DS, Robert P, Ereshefsky L, et al. Diagnostic criteria for apathy in neurocognitive disorders. Alzheimers Dement. Published online May 5, 2021. doi: 10.1002/alz.12358