Correlates of Apathy in Huntington's Disease

The authors aim to study prevalence and clinical correlates of apathy in Huntington's disease. Apathy was defined as an Apathy Scale score >= 14 points in 152 Huntington's disease mutation carriers and 56 noncarriers. Correlates of apathy were analyzed cross-sectionally in mutation carriers using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Forty-nine (32%) Huntington's disease mutation carriers showed apathy compared to none of the noncarriers. After exclusion of 10 depressed patients, apathy was independently associated with male sex, worse global functioning, and higher use of neuroleptics and benzodiazepines. (The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences 2010; 22:287-294)