Social Dysfunction and Apathy: Transdiagnostic Domains in Late-Life Cognitive Disorders

Abstract

Social dysfunction is a maladaptive process of coping, problem solving, and achieving one's goals. A new definition of apathy was cross-linked to social dysfunction, with a reduced goal-directed behavior and social interaction as a separate dimension. We hypothesized that these two neuropsychiatric symptoms may be included in the mild behavioral impairment diagnostic framework, operationalizing and standardizing late-life neuropsychiatric symptom assessment, to improve risk determination of dementia. Social dysfunction and apathy were transdiagnostic and prodromic for late-life cognitive disorders. A transdiagnostic approach could provide a useful mean for a better understanding of apathy and related conditions such as social behavior.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; apathy; biopsychosocial frailty; dementia; depression; late-life cognitive disorders; mild behavioral impairment; mild cognitive impairment; social dysfunction; social withdrawal.