Apathy: from the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms to future assessments and therapeutic strategies
Abstract
This chapter details a viewpoint in which apathy is described from its behavioural manifestations and its multidimensional mechanisms. We propose a model for the psychological mechanisms and neural bases of apathy. We provide evidence that apathy results from dysfunctions of prefrontal cortexbasal ganglia system causing impairments of the key components of goal-directed behaviours: 1. motivation; 2. planning and execution; 3. auto-activation. We present clinical aspects of apathy with a critical analysis of its assessment, relying so far on subjective report. After describing current treatments and their limits, we show how an ecological approach may help to develop new therapeutic interventions.
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Cognitive scienceOrigin | Files produced by the author(s) |
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