Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 May 2016
Apathy has been reported as a possible adverse effect of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS). We investigated the prevalence and severity of apathy in 22 patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) who underwent STN-DBS, as well as the effects of apathy on quality of life (QOL).
All patients were assessed with the Lille Apathy Rating Scale (LARS), the Apathy Scale (AS), and the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire and were compared to a control group of 38 patients on pharmacotherapy alone.
There were no significant differences in the prevalence or severity of apathy between patients who had undergone STN-DBS and those on pharmacotherapy alone. Significant correlations were observed between poorer QOL and degree of apathy, as measured by the LARS (p<0.001) and the AS (p=0.021). PD-related disability also correlated with both apathy ratings (p<0.001 and p=0.017, respectively).
Our findings suggest that STN-DBS is not necessarily associated with apathy in the PD population; however, more severe apathy appears to be associated with a higher level of disability due to PD and worse QOL, but no other clinico-demographic characteristics.
The authors would like to thank all the participants who gave up their time to take part in this study. Gratitude is also expressed to Mrs. Lesley Roberts for support during the development and write-up of this project, and to Mr Sayeed Haque, Mr. Roger Holder, and Mrs. Andrea Roalfe for their help with the statistical analyses.
The abstract of the present article was presented at the XXVII British Neuropsychiatry Association Annual General Meeting, London, February 4–6, 2015.