Brain perfusion correlates of the apathy inventory dimensions of Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

These results underline that the cognitive, behavioral and affective components of motivation are mediated by different fronto-sub-cortical circuits and are differently lateralized. In particular, left prefrontal hypoperfusion is involved in emotional blunting, as it was often demonstrated in depressive disorders. These distinct components of apathy may be targeted by different therapeutic means, in which dopaminergic enhancement might play a major role.