Traditionally, apathy has been viewed as a symptom indicating loss of
interest or emotions. This paper evaluates evidence that neuropsychiatric
disorders also produce a syndrome of apathy. Both the symptom and the
syndrome of apathy are of conceptual interest because they signify loss of
motivation. An apathy syndrome is defined as a syndrome of primary
motivational loss, that is, loss of motivation not attributable to
emotional distress, intellectual impairment, or diminished level of
consciousness. Loss of motivation due to disturbance of intellect, emotion,
or level of consciousness defines the symptom of apathy. Neuropsychiatric
literature dealing with apathy is reviewed within the framework of three
approaches to defining the concept of a syndrome. Clinical and
investigative approaches for evaluating apathy when it occurs in
association with other syndromes are described.Abstract Teaser